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 Glen Hare Voices Concern Over the Lack of Inclusion of First Nations Law Enforcement Under the New Community Safety and Policing Act
(Toronto, ON – July 20, 2023) Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare issued the following statement regarding Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor
OFNYPC Celebrates the Appointment of Winter Dawn Lipscombe as AFN National Youth Council Co-Chair
(Toronto, ON – July 17, 2023) The Ontario First Nations Young Peoples Council (OFNYPC) has issued the following statement regarding the
Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare Celebrates Federal Court Ruling to Fund Indigenous Police Services
(July 5, 2023 – Toronto, ON) Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare issued the following statement regarding the Federal Court’s order directing
Chiefs of Ontario Remain United in Protecting First Nations Rights from Bill C-53
(July 4, 2023 – Toronto, ON) The Chiefs of Ontario remain united in support of First Nations in the Ontario region