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
On World Water Day, First Nations Leadership call on federal parties to implement the First Nations Clean Water Act
(Toronto, Ont.–March 22, 2025) On World Water Day, and with a federal election looming, First Nations Leadership in the Ontario region
Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict’s response to federal Conservative Party’s commitment to ‘unlock’ the Ring of Fire
(Toronto, Ont.–March 19, 2025) Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict has released a statement in response to remarks provided earlier today by
Pathways to Progress: Chiefs of Ontario’s Federal Priorities for 2025 and the Future of Economic Reconciliation Amid Trade Wars
(Toronto, Ont. – March 18, 2025) As the likelihood of an imminent 2025 federal election increases, the Chiefs of Ontario are
Chiefs of Ontario First Nations Women’s Council Issues Statement in Honour of International Women’s Day
(Toronto, Ont. – March 8, 2025) The Chiefs of Ontario First Nations Women’s Council (FNWC) and newly elected Chief, Tesha Rourke,