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
Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Chiefs of Ontario Release Documentary, Call for Urgent Action on Remote Airport Crisis
(Toronto, Ont. – Oct. 28, 2026) Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) and Chiefs of Ontario (COO) published a new documentary today highlighting
Chiefs of Ontario Respond to Commitments from Prime Minister Mark Carney in Historic First Nations First Ministers Meeting
(Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa, — October 26, 2026) The Chiefs of Ontario provide a statement following the conclusion of today’s historic
Media Advisory – Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Chiefs of Ontario to Launch Documentary and Advocacy Campaign Highlighting Remote First Nations Airport Crisis
(Toronto, Ont.–Oct. 26, 2026) Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) and Chiefs of Ontario (COO) will hold a hybrid joint press conference on
Chiefs of Ontario Calls for Constitutional Change Ahead of Historic First Nations-First Ministers Meeting
(Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa, -- October 26, 2026) Ahead of today’s historic First Nations-First Ministers Meeting in Ottawa, the Chiefs of