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
In Response to Systemic Racism, Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald Calls on Ontario to Implement the Ipperwash Inquiry Recommendations
(Cochrane, ON, June 17, 2020) – Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald supports the call for an investigation by the Nishnawbe Aski
An Open Letter to Canadians: Canada Must Commit to Action against Systemic Racism
Dear Canadians, We stand on the precipice of change. We are looking down an untravelled path that will lead us from
Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald offers Condolences on the Passing of former Chief of Temagami First Nation, Gary Potts
(Toronto – June 5, 2020) On behalf of the Chiefs of Ontario, we offer our deepest condolences to the family and
Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald on the delay of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls National Action Plan.
(Toronto – June 3, 2020) One year ago, on June 3, 2019, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)