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
Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict and the First Nations Women’s Council Release Joint Statement in honour of Red Dress Day, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S+)
WARNING: Sensitive subject matter. (Toronto, Ont. – May 5, 2025) On Red Dress Day, the symbolic red dresses serve as a
Mining company pressures and disrespects Onigaming First Nation while in state of emergency over youth deaths
WARNING: Sensitive subject matter, including suicide and self-harm, that could be distressing for some. (Toronto, Ont.–May 2, 2025) The Chiefs of
Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict Extends Congratulatory Remarks to Prime Minister Mark Carney
(Toronto, Ont.—April 29, 2025) Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict has released the following statement congratulating Prime Minister Mark Carney and to
Chiefs of Ontario call on next federal government to support residential school Survivors
(Toronto, Ont.–April 23, 2025) The Chiefs of Ontario have issued the following statement on the urgent need to renew commitments to