Skip to content

Facebook X Instagram YouTube

Back to COO Main Site
COO Web Mail
Chiefs of Ontario Assembly Center

Portal Home
About
Priorities
Resources
Events
- Upcoming Events
- Past Events
Search for:

Priorities

PrioritiesChiefs of Ontario2022-04-11T15:42:46-04:00

COVID-19

Health Policy

Health Advocacy

Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)

Latest Updates

Opioid Use, Related Harms, and Access to Treatment Among First Na…
November 28, 2023
Surveys – Health Human Resources Strategy
June 28, 2023
Ontario Regional Addictions Partnership Committee
March 20, 2023
Health Forum 2023 – Presentations
March 17, 2023

Upcoming Events

September 2025

Sep 30 2025

Orange Shirt Day

Sep 30 2025

Orange Shirt Day

October 2025

Oct 10 2025

World Mental Health Day

Oct 10 2025

World Mental Health Day

No event found!

VIEW FULL CALENDAR

Chiefs of Ontario Overview

Recent Tweets

Tweets by ChiefsofOntario

Recent Posts

Opioid Use, Related Harms, and Access to Treatment Among First Nation’s in Ontario – Annual Report
Surveys – Health Human Resources Strategy
Ontario Regional Addictions Partnership Committee
Health Forum 2023 – Presentations
Registration now open for the 17th Annual Health Forum

Instagram

The Chiefs of Ontario will host a Special Chiefs A

The Chiefs of Ontario will host a Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) on February 26, 2025, in a hybrid format to discuss the Ontario Final Agreement.

• Date: February 26, 2025
• Location: Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel (Hybrid)
• Who Should Attend: Ontario First Nations Leadership or Proxy

Registration Link Available in Bio

Visit https://www.chiefsmeeting.com/cooscafa, where new information will be added regularly. Be sure to check back often to stay informed.

Ontario Regional Chief @benedictabram has issued t

Ontario Regional Chief @benedictabram has issued the following statement on the relationship between Canada and the United States:

“I wish to congratulate President Donald Trump on his recent election and inauguration. I also want to make clear to his government, all levels of Canadian governments, and to Ontario First Nations Leadership, that the Chiefs of Ontario will continue to advocate for the rights and interests of all 133 First Nations in Ontario. While we can expect significant changes in the coming months and years, our mandate—to uphold the inherent and Treaty rights of First Nations and to work towards healthy and happy communities—will remain unchanged.
President Trump has made threats to Canada in recent weeks, including annexation of the country and coercion through economic force. For First Nations, it echoes the colonial rhetoric that we’ve dealt with for centuries. It should be no surprise that these threats focus on Canada, Greenland and Mexico—all countries with immense natural resources and unique Indigenous Nations.
First Nations have lived on and cared for these lands since time immemorial. Many of our Nations’ traditional territories transcend international boundaries. We have long histories of crossing this great continent to trade with and learn from each other. While First Nations have always had the inherent right to travel freely across these lands—including the contemporary border between Canada and the United States—it is also affirmed by the Jay Treaty. Any decisions that affect First Nations sovereignty and rights must not be taken without our free, prior and informed consent and must respect the international Treaties that First Nations have with the Crown.”

You can read the full statement via the link in our bio.

#onpoli #canpoli

On International Education Day, we honour the resi

On International Education Day, we honour the resilience and wisdom of First Nations learners!

The Chiefs of Ontario is dedicated to advocating for and building positive relationships with First Nations, education partners, and all levels of government in the spirit of reconciliation with First Nations to help create opportunities to revitalize our languages, strengthen cultural identity, and empower the success of future generations through education.

To learn more about the Chiefs of Ontario's education resources please visit the education portal: https://education.chiefs-of-ontario.org/

#FirstNationsEducation

Today is Bell Let’s Talk Day, a day to reflect a

Today is Bell Let’s Talk Day, a day to reflect and create space to talk openly about mental wellness and the strength and resilience of First Nations across the region.

The Chiefs of Ontario work to address stigmas and break the silence around mental health challenges to better support First Nations in their journey towards healing. We continue to advocate for culturally relevant resources, increased access to services and community-led programs. Our goal is to work collaboratively to create lasting change that uplifts the mental well-being of First Nations across the province.

First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line (Available 24/7):
This service is available to all Indigenous people across Canada. Experienced and culturally competent counselors are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through phone or online chat.
📞 Phone: 1-855-242-3310
💻 Online Chat: hopeforwellness.ca

#MentalHealthMatters

📣The Chiefs of Ontario will host a Special Chie

📣The Chiefs of Ontario will host a Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) on February 26, 2025, in a hybrid format to discuss the Ontario Final Agreement.

• Date: February 26, 2025
• Location: Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel (Hybrid)
• Registration: Coming Soon!

Stay tuned for more information. Visit the Chiefs of Ontario Assembly Center at chiefsmeeting.com, where new information will be added regularly. Be sure to check back often to stay informed.

The Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation ar

The Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation are hosting Long-Term Reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) Program – Final Agreement Update meetings for Chiefs in Ontario. These sessions provide confidential and settlement-privileged updates on the Final Agreement for elected Chiefs in Ontario.

These meetings are exclusively for elected Chiefs in Ontario. Technicians, councilors, and community members will not be permitted to register. Chiefs must share their zoom link with their technicians and must advise COO staff in the zoom meeting to allow them in the room.

Registration and more information available in bio

Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict and Nishnawb

Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict and Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler have issued the following statement following interference by the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal on the long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program in Ontario.

“We as Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation are engaging in productive and positive discussions with Canada on moving towards a reformed system for our children and families. We have been mandated by our Chiefs, who have the right to make their own informed decisions about their children, and child and family services, without being required to consult with other parties on these decisions.

This agreement seeks to shift control and authority over child and family services funding from child welfare agencies to First Nations where it rightfully belongs. While we are disappointed that the Caring Society has brought a motion claiming that Canada must consult with them about our regional agreement, we will not allow this to derail our process and distract us from the work that needs to be done. The Caring Society has opposed this agreement from day one, and we do not want their latest procedural interruption to disrupt our progress towards a regional agreement they have already deemed to be “deeply flawed”.

Full statement available in bio

18th Annual Health Forum Updates! Early bird regi

18th Annual Health Forum Updates!

Early bird registration has been extended! Sign up by Friday, January 28th to secure your spot and automatically be entered into the Early-Bird Draw.

Hotel room blocks will expire on Monday, February 3, 2025.

Don’t miss out—secure your spot and accommodations now!

For more information on how to register and to book your room, visit the assembly link in our bio.

Dr. Jennifer Walker from McMaster University and D

Dr. Jennifer Walker from McMaster University and Dr. Sharmistha Mishra from the University of Toronto joined us for a two-episode feature to talk about the COVID-19 Scenario model. Over the course of these two episodes, we walked through the process of this project from conceptualization to the implementation and application of the model, and what First Nations data sovereignty means for modeling research. In Episode 7, we explored the data used for this project, as well as the more technical aspects of the model and what makes this model unique. We wrapped up this two-episode feature by reflecting on some lessons learned and how we can re-think math modelling in the future. https://chiefs-of-ontario.org/priorities/research/#podcast

#VoicesofSovereignty #FirstNationsData #DataGovernance #DataSovereignty

“On behalf of the Chiefs of Ontario, I would lik

“On behalf of the Chiefs of Ontario, I would like to thank the Prime Minister for his public service. His commitment to advancing reconciliation has helped change the national conversation between First Nations and Canada.

The decision to progue Parliament does not alter the conviction or priorities of First Nations. When the House of Commons resumes on March 24th, we urge the new Liberal Party leadership to work collaboratively with opposition parties to advance key priorities for First Nations, including:

- Enacting the First Nations Clean Drinking Water Act (Bill C-61)
- Addressing longstanding concerns regarding the carbon tax
- Ensuring essential service designation for First Nations police
- Finalizing the Agreement regarding the long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) Program
- Advancing health legislation
- Reforming the Additions to Reserve (ATR) and Specific Claims Policy
- Implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) legislation
- Fulfill commitments under the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action and the National Inquiry into the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ (MMIWG2S+) Calls for Justice
- Ensuring ongoing funding and support for Indian Residential School (IRS) survivor and their families

We also expect the next Prime Minister to commit to working in good faith with First Nations to address these priorities and ensure meaningful progress on reconciliation.

We wish the outgoing Prime Minister and his family well in their future endeavors and look forward to building a strong and collaborative relationship with the new leadership.”

View the statement in full via the link in bio.

The Chiefs of Ontario Social Services Sector is ho

The Chiefs of Ontario Social Services Sector is hosting a Long-Term Reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) Program – Final Agreement Update meeting on Thursday, January 9, 2025.

The meeting will offer insights into the current status of the agreement, including, progress made, recent developments, and challenges faced during the reform process. This meeting is an opportunity for First Nations Leadership, technicians, and community members to stay informed and actively engaged in the ongoing efforts related to the agreement.

Date: Thursday, January 9, 2025

Time: 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EST

Location: Virtual Online

Who Should Attend: First Nations Leadership and Leadership Council

Registration link in bio.

Upon registration, you will receive a Zoom link to participate.

For additional information, please visit www.chiefsmeeting.com/fncfs or email Tyler Gary, Communications Officer at tyler.gary@coo.org

Hotel room blocks for the Mental Wellness and Subs

Hotel room blocks for the Mental Wellness and Substance Use Conference in Blue Mountain, ON (January 28–30, 2025) will expire on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.

Don’t miss out—secure your accommodations now!

For more information and to book your room, visit: www.chiefsmeeting.com/2025-mental-wellness-conference

Chiefs of Ontario respond to distressing news that

Chiefs of Ontario respond to distressing news that Survivors’ Secretariat facing insolvency:
The Chiefs of Ontario are deeply concerned that the Survivors’ Secretariat is facing insolvency because the government has broken its funding agreements with the organization. The news was revealed in media reports this week.

The federal government must immediately honour its commitments and ensure that there is adequate and sustainable funding for the Survivors’ Secretariat and all organizations doing this sacred work.

The Survivors’ Secretariat’s mandate—documenting the horrors of the Mohawk Institute residential school and supporting Survivors and their families—is critically important. It is unconscionable that staff at the organization may lose their jobs simply because the federal government has ignored the organization’s repeated inquiries about payments that had been promised.

Read the full statement via the link in bio.

From all of us at the Chiefs of Ontario, we wish y

From all of us at the Chiefs of Ontario, we wish you Happy Holidays and Season’s Greetings!

Please note that the Chiefs of Ontario Secretariat Office will be closed from December 19, 2024, and will reopen on January 6, 2025.

The Chiefs of Ontario Health Sector will host its

The Chiefs of Ontario Health Sector will host its 18th Annual Health Forum from February 25 - 27, 2025, in Toronto, Ontario. This year’s theme is Intergenerational Health: Focusing and empowering the health of our children, youth and families.
Registration is now open!
Register by January 10th to be entered into the Early Bird Draw!
For more information please visit the link in our bio

Today, we honoured and celebrated the incredible c

Today, we honoured and celebrated the incredible contributions of Sally Gaikezheyongai, who has retired after years of dedicated service in the Environment Sector at the Chiefs of Ontario.

Sally’s unwavering commitment to advancing the environmental priorities of First Nations across Ontario was truly inspiring.

We wish you all the best in your retirement!

Follow on Instagram

Contact Info

468 Queen St E, Suite 400

Phone: (416) 597-1266

Mobile: 1-877-517-6527

Fax: (416) 597-8365

Email: Media Inquiries

COO WEB MAIL LOGIN

Health Priorities
Upcoming Events
Resources
Staff List

© Copyright | Chiefs of Ontario | All Rights Reserved | Design by MAAIINGAN

Facebook X Instagram YouTube