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
Chiefs of Ontario call for action following commitment to tough-on-crime policies
(Toronto, Ont.–April 17, 2025) Chiefs of Ontario is deeply concerned over recent tough-on-crime rhetoric from political leaders at both the provincial
Federal Election 2025 – First Nations Candidate Biographies
The Chiefs of Ontario have compiled a list of First Nations candidates running in the upcoming federal election. You can find
Chiefs of Ontario Urge Premier Ford to Respect First Nations’ Rights in Mining Legislation
(Toronto, Ont. – April 14, 2025) The Chiefs of Ontario are raising concerns about the Ford government’s proposed legislation to fast-track
Chiefs of Ontario Dismiss Findings of Métis National Council Expert Panel Report
(Toronto, Ont.–April 4, 2025) The Chiefs of Ontario have issued the following statement on the release of the long-delayed expert panel’s