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
First Nations Leaders Reject Bill C-39 and the Rush to Force it Through: Rights Cannot Be Fast-Tracked
(Canada - October 8, 2026) - The Chiefs of Ontario (COO), the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL), the British Columbia
Chiefs of Ontario Calls for Action to Confront Residential School Denialism and Honour Survivors
Content Warning: This release discusses the Indian Residential School system, including its ongoing impacts on Survivors, families, and First Nations, as
Chiefs of Ontario Launches Open Letter Calling for Respectful Return of First Nations Ancestors
(Toronto – Ont. – September 23, 2026) Chiefs of Ontario (COO) have launched an Open Letter to All Ontarians: Help Us
Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict Stands with Mississauga First Nation in Defence of its Traditional and Treaty Territory
(Toronto, Ont. – September 4, 2026) Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict stands firmly with Mississauga First Nation following its rejection of