In March of 1975, at the First Annual All Ontario Chiefs Conference, a joint First Nations Association Coordinating Committee was formed, constituting an unincorporated federation of the four major Ontario First Nation organizations. The purpose of the committee was to provide a single Ontario representative to the Assembly of First Nations (then, the National Indian Brotherhood). From this committee emerged the Chiefs of Ontario office whose basic purpose is to enable the political leadership to discuss and to decide on regional, provincial and national priorities affecting First Nation people in Ontario and to provide a unified voice on these issues.
Former Ontario Regional Chiefs, from left to right: Grand Council Chief Pat Madahbee, Deputy Grand Chief Gord Peters, Angus Toulouse, Charles Fox, Chief Tom Bressette.
About the Logo
The circle and the map represents the continuity, strength and harmony of the First Nations peoples of Ontario; the five feathers signify the four political organizations of the Chiefs of Ontario; the fifth feather represents the independent nations and First Nation peoples living off reserve, First Nations who are not forgotten. The overall symbol represents the continuance of the First Nations peoples of Ontario struggle for pride, culture, self-determination and spirituality.
THE LATEST FROM CHIEFS OF ONTARIO
Media Releases
Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict Extends Congratulatory Remarks to Prime Minister Mark Carney
(Toronto, Ont.—April 29, 2025) Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict has released the following statement congratulating Prime Minister Mark Carney and to
Chiefs of Ontario call on next federal government to support residential school Survivors
(Toronto, Ont.–April 23, 2025) The Chiefs of Ontario have issued the following statement on the urgent need to renew commitments to
Request for Proposal: AV Services for Chiefs of Ontario 50th Anniversary Annual Chiefs Assembly
The Chiefs of Ontario (COO) invites qualified A/V service providers to submit proposals for comprehensive audio-visual support for the Chiefs of
First Nations rights cannot be ‘unleashed,’ say First Nations Leadership following province’s proposed development legislation
(Toronto, Ont.–April 22, 2025) The Chiefs of Ontario have issued the following statement in response to Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our