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
Media advisory – Chiefs of Ontario and Manitoba Métis Federation co-host Indigenous Identity Fraud Summit
(Media advisory – May 13, 2024) On Tuesday, May 14, and Wednesday, May 15, 2024, the Indigenous Identity Fraud Summit will
Chiefs of Ontario Launch Litigation Against the Province and Canada Over Failure to Keep First Nations Safe
(Toronto, ON – May 7, 2024) Today, the Chiefs of Ontario (COO) are launching litigation against Ontario and Canada for failing
Media Advisory – First Nations to hold press conference at Queen’s Park to announce lawsuit against Ontario and Canada
(May 6, 2024 – Toronto, Ontario) On Tuesday, May 7, 2024, the Chiefs of Ontario, alongside Ontario First Nations Leadership and
First Nations Women’s Council Makes Statement on Red Dress Day, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit and Gender Diverse People (MMIWG2S)
(Toronto, ON – May 3, 2024) – The Chiefs of Ontario First Nations Women’s Council issued a statement in advance of