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
Chiefs of Ontario Marks Red Dress Day, Calls for Urgent Action as MMIWG2S+ Funding Ends
(Toronto, Ont. – May 5, 2026) On Red Dress Day, the Chiefs of Ontario stand in remembrance and solidarity with families,
Canada Files Judicial Review Following the Ontario Final Agreement Approval
(May 1, 2026) – On March 30, 2026, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) approved the Final Agreement on Long-Term Reform of the First Nations Child
Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation Celebrate Historic Approval of the Ontario Final Agreement by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal
(Toronto, Ont. — March 30, 2026) Today, the Chiefs of Ontario (COO) and Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) are pleased to announce
Chiefs of Ontario Responds to 2026 Ontario Budget
(Toronto, Ont.–March 27, 2026) The Chiefs of Ontario has issued the following statement in response to Ontario’s 2026 Budget, A Plan