UNDERSTANDING
FIRST NATION GOVERNANCE
A Responsive System for Engagement
First Nation
Defined:
First Nation is a term used to describe Aboriginal or
Indigenous peoples in Canada who are not Métis or
Inuit. Currently there are 1.4 million First Nation
people representing 634 First Nations in Canada.
Ontario represents the largest population group of
First Nations
Anishinabek Nation

The Anishinabek Nation incorporated
the Union of Ontario Indians (UOI) as its
secretariat in 1949. The Anishinabek
Nation is a political advocate for 40
member First Nations across Ontario.
Provincial Territorial Organizations

In 1969, the UOI was reorganized to
reflect the wider scope of Indian politics
across the Province. By 1972, three other
Provincial Territorial Organizations (PTO’s)
were formed: The Association of Iroquois
and Allied Indians, Nishnawbe Aski Nation
and Grand Council Treaty 3.
PTO’s in Ontario



In Ontario the majority of First
Nations are affiliated with
larger regional groupings
known as PTO’s
PTO’s are the primary support
for Advocacy and Secretariat
services for First Nations
Each PTO has an Elected
Grand Council Chief and
Deputy Grand Chief
PTO's Populations
NAN
45,000
UOI
65,000
AIAI
20,000
Treaty #3
25,000
Treaties

Ontario is covered by 46
treaties and other
agreements, such as land
purchases by the Crown.
Historically, The Crown, or
British Crown, referred to the
reigning monarch of Canada,
such as Queen Victoria, King
Edward VII or King George V.
Today, it refers to the federal
and provincial governments.
First Nation Tribal Councils
There are 16
recognized
Tribal Councils
in Ontario.
10
Tribal councils
have no
independent
status; they
draw their
powers entirely
from their
member bands
6
FN 1
FN 2
FN 3
FN 4
FN 5
FN 6
FN 7
8
4
2
0
UOI
NAN
AIAI
Treaty #3
Assembly of First Nations

The Assembly of First
Nations (AFN) is a national
advocacy organization
representing First Nation
citizens in Canada, which
includes more than 900,000
people living in 634 First
Nation communities and in
cities and towns across the
country
Important: The AFN National
Executive is made up of the
National Chief, 10 Regional Chiefs
and the chairs of the Elders,
Women’s and Youth
councils. Regional Chiefs are
elected every three years by
Chiefs in their regions.
Chiefs Of Ontario




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.
Primary Role: Facilitation and Coordination
First Nation Governance
AFN
PTO
• Core Advocacy
• Secretariat
• National Presence
First
Nation
Tribal Council
• Technical Services
COO
• Regional
Treaty
• Rights
Miigwech