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 deeply saddened to learn of the passing of AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick
(Toronto, Ont.–September 6, 2024) The Chiefs of Ontario expresses its deepest condolences to the friends, family and colleagues of Grand Chief
Request for Proposals: Facilitator, First Nations Virtual Forum on Community Safety
Download Full RFP Here: Request for Proposals: Facilitator, First Nations Virtual Forum on Community Safety You are invited to submit a
First Nations in Ontario continue to call for more clarity surrounding the identification of six new so-called “historic Métis communities” in the region
First Nation Leadership in the Ontario region have released the following statement on the deadline of the final report of the
Ontario Regional Chief Benedict releases statement on reversal of funding cuts for Indian Residential Schools
(Toronto, Ont.–August, 23, 2024) Late last week, the federal government reversed a policy that placed a cap on available funding related