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The 2026 Annual Chiefs Assembly, hosted by the Chi The 2026 Annual Chiefs Assembly, hosted by the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, has come to a close!
 
Day 3 began with critical updates on the Mocassin Identifier Initiative, Kashechewan Evacuation, the Ontario Final Agreement, and the Regional Information Governance Centre Project.

Delegates also worked through emergency and late resolutions before gathering for closing reflections from the four COO councils, including the voices of Knowledge Keepers, women, youth, and 2S representatives.
 
Miigwetch, Niá:wen, Thank you to all the Chiefs, Councillors, delegates, technicians, staff, Knowledge Keepers, youth, and community members whose contributions helped make this year’s Assembly a success.
 
Safe travels to everyone returning home. We wish you well until we gather again.

Please note that meeting materials can be found here: https://www.chiefsmeeting.com/aca2026
 
#COOACA2026 #NationBuilding
“Flooding will keep happening in our community, un “Flooding will keep happening in our community, until the government provides a permanent solution. That’s what Kashechewan requested for the future of our children, to safeguard our children, our future. Shame on you government, Shame on you bureaucrats, for what you’re doing to our children [...] I have to fight, to have justice,” said Chief Hosea Wesley during the Kashechewan Update to the Assembly. #COOACA2026
“I thought about Chief Wesley and Kashechewan Firs “I thought about Chief Wesley and Kashechewan First Nation and the people there. And how much they’ve suffered over these last 5 months. Something happened to their water treatment plant in December, and early Jan, and their water [...] was deemed unsafe. The community had to be evacuated, a community of 2000 people, 1800 were evacuated to four sites, in Kingston, Kapuskasing, Cochrane, and also Niagara Falls.  When you look across the region, especially in NAN territory, we have communities that have lived under boil water advisories for many years, including Neskantanga, almost 31 years. My own community of Muskrat Dam, 250 people live there, we’ve been on that list since 2003, same with Marten Falls. Across the country, NAN represents 40% of the long-term boil water advisories, and Kashechewan First Nation is one of them [...] I hope this new bill, will be the beginning of the work that needs to happen, to create our own framework for water and to ensure adequate resources are dedicated to the work,” said Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler to the Assembly. #COOACA2026
“By scaling our relational markers nationally, we “By scaling our relational markers nationally, we are helping Canada confront this history. We compel municipal, corporate, and educational partners to physically acknowledge Indigenous presence and land rights on their sites, said Laurie Froman, Executive Director of the Moccasin Identifier,  when addressing the Assembly.
 
For more information, please visit: https://moccasinidentifier.com/
 
#COOACA2026
“The Ontario Final Agreement is not just another f “The Ontario Final Agreement is not just another funding arrangement, and it is a result of years of advocacy, litigation pressure, negotiation, and political direction from you, our leadership. But it’s not the finish line; it’s the beginning of implementation. The promise of the OFA will not be measured by the signatures on the agreement; it will be measured by whether children, families, First Nation representatives, agencies, and communities actually see that change on the ground,” said Grand Chief Joiel Abram during the Ontario Final Agreement update to the Assembly.  #COOACA2026
“Data sovereignty ensures that this knowledge is p “Data sovereignty ensures that this knowledge is protected, respected, and preserved for future generations. When we think about data, we need to think about how reliable it is, and how accurate data strengthens our ability to hold government and corporations accountable", said Chief Shelly Moore-Frappier during the Regional Information Governance Centre Project Update to the Assembly. #COOACA2026
Day 2 of the Annual Chiefs Assembly wrapped with i Day 2 of the Annual Chiefs Assembly wrapped with important discussions on justice, governance, infrastructure, and the protection of First Nations rights.

Chiefs and delegates received updates on the enforcement of First Nations laws, policing, Métis rights assertions, housing and infrastructure needs, water legislation, mine development mapping, and preparations for the upcoming First Nations–First Ministers Meeting.

Resolutions were passed throughout the day as leadership continued advancing priorities that support strong, self-determining First Nations across Ontario.

See you for Day 3 tomorrow!
“One designed by First Nations for First Nations. “One designed by First Nations for First Nations. Waasekiwaat Land watch, the eyes in the sky. We’re watching what’s happening to our land, and we have the decision-making power to be that authority. We don’t have to wait on them anymore; this is a platform that will give us that power." said Walter Mainville, Mineral Sector Specialist at Grand Council Treaty #3. 
 
To learn more about the platform, please visit: https://wlw-univmb.hub.arcgis.com/  #COOACA2026
“We are honoured to be here today and to recognize “We are honoured to be here today and to recognize the hard work of the Ontario Chiefs. Water is life, for all of us, not merely a resource or commodity to be traded; it is a gift from Creator [...] Ontario Chiefs know this better than anyone. First Nations are united in the belief that water is a fundamental human right,” said National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak while addressing the Assembly. 
 #COOACA2026
“We are working to deliver results that our commun “We are working to deliver results that our communities will see at the grassroots level. This region is home to the most First Nations in the country, most communities, most citizens, and for far too long, programs and services have not adequately met that. In Ontario, we also champion our remoteness quotient for our northern Nations [...] Nation-driven support through advocacy will allow us to have access to our own data from a collective view. Done right, it would highlight the unique needs of all First Nations in our region, [...] collectively we are here for our nations,” said Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige during the Ontario Housing Infrastructure Needs Assessment discussion. #COOACA2026
“We would like to acknowledge and celebrate the An “We would like to acknowledge and celebrate the Anishinabek Nation for being one of the first PTOs to host a two-spirit conference targeted towards education for leadership and service providers. This gathering creates an important opportunity for chiefs, councilors and front-line workers to deepen their understanding through culturally grounded teachings,” said Mallory Solomon, Co-Chair of the 2S/LGBTQQIAPD+ Council 

“When Murray Sinclair delivered the calls to action, he said we have to learn how to talk to and about each other with greater respect than has been the case in the past. This message delivered wasn’t just for the settlers, the newcomers, it also included us, said NaWalka Geeshy Meegwun,  member of the 2S/LGBTQQIAPD+ Council

#COOACA2026
Day 1 of the Annual Chiefs Assembly has wrapped up Day 1 of the Annual Chiefs Assembly has wrapped up!

Chiefs and delegates heard updates on federal major projects legislation, the Major Projects Office, Chiefs of Ontario accountability and governance matters, resolutions, and received updates from the Ontario First Nations Young Peoples Council and Knowledge Keepers Council.

See you tomorrow for Day 2.

For more information, please visit: https://www.chiefsmeeting.com/aca2026
“One of our Knowledge Keepers relayed that we must “One of our Knowledge Keepers relayed that we must be the driver of the bus, especially in the current political landscape we find ourselves in with Ontario and Canada. When we assert ourselves, we drive discussions with the government while working together. When we work together and support each other, we have more strength, said Don Jones from the COO Knowledge Keepers Council. #COOACA2026
“I want to highlight some amazing work that 5 Firs “I want to highlight some amazing work that 5 First Nations youth from Ontario did this past May, by attending the United Nations meeting that happened. I'm so proud of these 5 youth, 4 from NAN, and my fellow co-chair Hanna Sewell for representing us at a global forum, said Carter Carpenter, Co-Chair of the Ontario First Nations Young Peoples Council.  #COOACA2026
Chiefs of Ontario hosted a press conference today Chiefs of Ontario hosted a press conference today in response to the federal government's reintroduction of legislation respecting water, source water, drinking water, wastewater, and related infrastructure on First Nations lands.
 
Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict, Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige of Anishinabek Nation, and Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, shared their perspectives on the proposed legislation and the importance of ensuring First Nations rights, jurisdiction, and priorities are reflected in any path forward.
 
We extend our gratitude to Knowledge Keeper Sally Gaikezheyongai for opening the press conference with prayer and helping to ground the discussion in a good way.
 
For more information, please visit: https://chiefs-of-ontario.org/chiefs-of-ontario-respond-to-newly-introduced-first-nations-water-legislation/
Be sure check out the many lovely vendors and orga Be sure check out the many lovely vendors and organizations outside the main assembly hall here at the Annual Chiefs Assembly in Chippewas of Rama First Nation!
#COOACA2026
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