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
Statement from Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare Regarding Conservation and Restoration Funding Allocations to the Métis Nation of Ontario
(Toronto, ON - January 30, 2024) Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare has made the following statement regarding the federal funding allocations
The Chiefs of Ontario Call on the Government of Ontario to Declare a 365-Day Moratorium of Mine Claims Staking
(Toronto, ON – January 24, 2024) The Chiefs of Ontario have released the following statement regarding their call for a 365-day
Statement from Ontario Regional Chief Hare and Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Reg Niganobe regarding Ancestors that were uncovered at a Toronto construction site
Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare and Chiefs of Ontario Heritage and Burials Portfolio Holder Grand Council Chief Reg Niganobe have released
The Chiefs of Ontario ask for truths to be shared this holiday season
(Toronto, ON – December 19, 2023) The Chiefs of Ontario have released the following statement ahead of the 2023 holiday break: