FROM THE COO’S DESK
S
hekoli,
The summer 2026 edition of Advocate highlights the work First Nations are 
leading to protect our languages, lands, Treaty relationships and knowledge. The 
stories in this issue reflect how self-determination and collective action continue 
to strengthen First Nations across Ontario. 
Our language feature highlights the work taking place in Moose Cree First Nation 
to strengthen the Moose Cree L-dialect. Geraldine Govender and other community 
members have created dictionaries, learning tools, books and digital resources to support 
current and future speakers. Their work shows that language revitalization must be led by 
communities and supported with stable, long-term funding. 
This issue also looks at the growing call to stop the aerial spraying of glyphosate-based 
herbicides. First Nations leaders, Traditional Ecological Knowledge Elders and grassroots 
advocates continue to raise concerns about the effects of spraying on forests, wildlife, 
medicines, food sources, water and human health. 
We also reflect on the 10th anniversary of Ontario’s Treaties Recognition Week Act. 
For many years, First Nations leadership and educators have worked to improve public 
understanding of Treaties. This work must continue throughout the year and be rooted in 
First Nations histories and responsibilities. 
The feature on data sovereignty highlights the rights of First Nations to control how 
information about their people, communities, lands and knowledge is collected, stored, 
shared and used. The COO Powering Up Data Sovereignty Conference showed the prog-
ress being made and the need to continue building First Nations-led systems and capacity. 
As Chief Operating Officer, I recognize the responsibility our organization has to 
support the priorities set by First Nations and the Chiefs-in-Assembly. I look forward to 
continuing this important work and supporting the 133 First Nations across the Ontario 
region. Planning is also underway for the COO Fall Chiefs Assembly, which will be held 
on Nov. 23-25 in Toronto. Stay tuned to our website and social media accounts for  
more information. 
I hope you enjoy the summer edition of Advocate and the stories shared throughout it. 
I wish you and your families a safe and enjoyable summer.
Yaw^ko  
Collective Action
TRACY ANTONE
Chief Operating Officer, Chiefs of Ontario 
Issue 1 2026 – Chiefs of Ontario Advocate magazine 
12  l

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