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 Host Human Trafficking Lunch and Learn Sessions Highlighting Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness
(Toronto, ON – February 21, 2023) The Chiefs of Ontario (COO) Women’s Initiatives Sector will host a lunch and learn session
Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare’s Statement on the Preliminary Findings of 171 Potential Unmarked Graves Found on the Grounds of Former St. Mary’s Indian Residential School
(Toronto, Ontario – January 18, 2023) Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare issued the following statement on the preliminary findings on the
Open Letter to Prime Minister Trudeau on Perpetuating Climate Injustice Against First Nations
Dear Prime Minister Trudeau, Canada bears responsibility for the climate crisis that is driving humans to the precipice of a global
Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare Sends Condolences to the Family and Friends of Officer Grzegorz Pierzchala
(January 3, 2022 – Toronto, Ontario) Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare issued the following statement sending condolences to the family and