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
Request for Proposals – Development of Environment Team Strategic Plan 2023-2025
The Chiefs of Ontario's Environment Sector is holding a Request for Proposals to develop an Environment Team Strategic Plan for 2023-2025.
Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare Issues Statement of Support for First Nations in the Ontario Region Opposing Proposed Federal Métis Self-Government Legislation
(May 19, 2023 – Toronto, ON) Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare issued the following statement of support for First Nations in
Chiefs of Ontario Launches Public Education and Awareness Campaign Surrounding Systemic Racism
(Toronto, ON – May 16, 2023) The Chiefs of Ontario’s Justice Sector is proud to launch the newly developed Public Education
Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare Supports Robinson-Huron Waawiindamaagewin in Release of New Research Report: An Exploratory Study of the Métis Nation of Ontario’s “Historic Métis Communities” in Robinson-Huron Treaty Territory
(May 10, 2023 – Toronto, ON) Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare issued the following statement in support of Robinson-Huron Waawiindamaagewin’s release