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
Fall Chiefs Assembly 2025 – Participant Survey
The Chiefs of Ontario Secretariat is requesting that all delegates of the Fall Chiefs Assembly 2025 complete the survey linked below
Chiefs of Ontario call for urgent implementation of 2021 water settlement and legislation as a third of Ontario First Nations face drinking water advisories
(Ottawa, Ont.–Dec. 3, 2025) After years of unacceptable delays, Chiefs of Ontario is demanding the Government of Canada stop delaying implementing
ORIC Roles and Responsibilities for at Large Members
The Chiefs of Ontario are seeking submissions for ORIC Implementation Committee Members. The Ontario Reform Implementation Committee (“ORIC”) is the central
MEDIA ADVISORY: The Chiefs of Ontario will hold a press conference to discuss ongoing water issues plaguing First Nations, the 2021 class action drinking water settlement conditions and Bill C-61
(Ottawa, Ont.—Dec. 1, 2025) Nearly a third of First Nations in Ontario are currently under a short- or long-term drinking water