b'50 YEARSQueen Elizabeth II, Chief Leonard Pelletier and Prince Philip attend a pageant depicting the Michael Thomas, a 13-year-old boy from Six Nations, reads the Two-Row Wampum Treatyhistory of Fort Williams at a partially reconstructed fort in Thunder Bay, Ont. July 3, 1973. displayed in the Iroquois Village near Oshweken, Ont. July 13, 1973.(Credit: Doug Griffin / Toronto Star via the Toronto Public Library.) (Credit: Don Dutton / Toronto Star via the Toronto Public Library.)A Seat at the Table50 years of political advocacy at the Chiefs of OntarioBY GABRIELLE MCMANNF ormer Ontario Regional Chiefinforms many traditional ways of life,The formative years at the Chiefs of Gordon Peters remembersincluding governance structures. TheseOntario were centred around estab-the days when First Nationstraditions were passed down throughlishing itself as a political organization leaders started to realize thatmany generations. But the harmony andrepresenting First Nations on a regional they deserved a seat at the table.balance that shaped the First Nationsand national level. The leaders were In the early 1980s, Bill Davis, theway of life was disrupted when colonialstill learning how to navigate a colonial premier of Ontario at the time, alongsettlers stepped foot on our shores. Assystem and governance structure; with a few ministers of government,stewards and protectors of Turtle Island,learning how to fit traditional values and met with the Chiefs of Ontario (COO)First Nations posed a threat to theknowledge into a governance structure near the centre of colonial powerthecolonial settlers self-proclaimed owner- that could successfully operate within the Macdonald Block in Toronto. Petersship over the land and its resources. Thiscolonial framework was one of the many remembers the moment that Richardled to centuries of colonial violence.challenges our leaders faced. Pine, a respected leader from GardenLands were usurped and children stolen.Pierre Debassige, a youth advocate River First Nation, picked up his chair,The goal? To silence us, to assimilateand leader, as well as the Eagle Staff moved it across the room and sat directlyus, to erase us.carrier for the Chiefs of Ontario, says across from the premier.But in 1975, First Nations across thethat it is important for culture to be a That was a changing dynamic, thatOntario region came together and spokepart of First Nations politics and deci-these politicians are not above us, saysin a united voice to demand justicesion making. One of the COO Eagle Peters. We should be sitting across fromand assert their rights. The Chiefs ofStaff teachings is related to one of the them as allies and partners. And thatOntario became a beacon of hope forfeathers being positioned in the opposite is the truth: First Nations should haveFirst Nations that their songs, hopes,direction then the others, which shows a seat whenever matters involving Firstdreams and pains would be heard. It wasthat we can have disagreements within Nations Peoples are concerned.the beginning of transformation in theour Nations and our peoples, but we role First Nations Peoples would play inhave to learn to do it in a good way.But that hasnt always been the case Canadian politics. From land claims andFor the last 50 years, the Chiefs and it still isnt. environmental stewardship to culturalof Ontario has advocated for all 133 First Nations across Turtle Island haverevitalization and acts of resistance, theFirst Nations in the province. The lived in harmony with the land and theChiefs of Ontario is an expression ofjourney to organize and support each rest of Creation since time immemorial.strength and love for the First Peoples ofcommunity has not been easyeach That sacred relationship with the landthis land and the places they call home.First Nation has unique challenges and 20l I ssue1 2025C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne'