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
Appointment Opportunity: Commissioner and Director, Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages
This Notice of Appointment Opportunity will soon be available online in the following languages: Inuktitut (North Baffin); Michif Cree; Michif French;
Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald Appointed as Member of the Ministers’ COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force
(Toronto, ON, December 4, 2020) Today, the Ontario government announced the nine members of the new Ministers' COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task
Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald Welcomes New Investment of $1.5 Billion to Address First Nations Water Crisis
(Toronto, ON, December 2, 2020) On Monday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, delivered the Fall
Chiefs of Ontario Update: Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) and Jordan’s Principle
This update provides information on NIHB Updates from March to October 2020, including changes to benefit items and services resulting from