Chiefs of Ontario

09/04/2026

On Monday, First Nations leaders, Barbara Kentner’s family, and supporters marched from Parliament Hill to the Parole Board of Canada’s National Office to demand justice and accountability.

Following remarks outside the office, the Kentner family hand-delivered a letter to the Parole Board calling for action.

Now, you can add your voice.

Send a letter calling for clear accountability, stronger parole risk assessments, meaningful review mechanisms, and culturally safe support for First Nations victims and families.

Share the campaign with your networks and encourage others to take action.

Send a letter:
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/justice-for-barbara-kentner-first-nations-call-for-action?source=direct_link&

09/04/2026

Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict stands firmly with Mississauga First Nation following its rejection of territorial and harvesting assertions made in connection with the recent purchase of approximately 320 acres of private property along the Mississagi River by the Métis Nation of Ontario-affiliated “Huron-Superior Regional Métis Community”.

“Mississauga First Nation has spoken clearly and unequivocally about its history, its territory, and its rights,” said Ontario Regional Chief Benedict. “The Mississagi River lies within the traditional and Treaty territory of the Mississauga Anishinabek, whose relationship with these lands and waters has existed since time immemorial. I stand with Chief Brent Niganobe, Council, and the citizens of Mississauga First Nation as they defend that relationship and reject territorial assertions they maintain have no historical foundation within their lands.”

Purchasing private property does not purchase an Indigenous history. Indigenous rights are grounded in longstanding relationships with lands, waters, and territories that cannot be created through a modern real estate transaction. While colonial displacement has separated many Indigenous peoples from their lands without extinguishing those relationships, acquiring property today cannot create the historical foundation upon which an Aboriginal rights claim depends. Land can be purchased. History cannot.

Mississauga First Nation has expressly rejected the historical foundation underlying these territorial assertions, stating that no historic Métis community existed within its traditional territory capable of grounding the harvesting and territorial claims now being advanced.

Aboriginal rights claims must have a historical foundation. Where that history and the geographic extent of a claimed rights-bearing community are disputed by the affected First Nation, governments must undertake rigorous historical and legal due diligence before recognizing or acting upon those claims.

This latest development cannot be viewed in isolation. First Nations across the Ontario region have repeatedly raised serious concerns regarding the Métis Nation of Ontario’s assertions of so-called “historic communities”, harvesting territories, and rights within First Nations’ territories.

Those concerns have too often been minimized, ignored, or characterized as disagreements between Indigenous peoples. They are not. Assertions of historic Métis communities and traditional territories within First Nations’ lands have direct implications for First Nations’ Inherent and Treaty rights, territories, and jurisdiction.

The potential consequences extend beyond this individual land purchase. As Mississauga First Nation has warned, territorial assertions advanced today may become the basis for future assertions concerning harvesting, consultation and accommodation, lands, resources, and jurisdiction.

The purchase of private lands, whether along the Mississagi River or elsewhere in Ontario, cannot be used to establish, strengthen, or legitimize a disputed historical narrative of Métis settlement or traditional territory.

First Nations should not be placed in the position of repeatedly having to defend their own histories and territories against claims that they maintain have no historical foundation. Mississauga First Nation has spoken for its lands and its history. Its position must be respected.

Chiefs of Ontario stands with Mississauga First Nation in protecting the Mississagi River, defending its Inherent and Treaty rights, and ensuring that the history and territory of the Mississauga Anishinabek cannot be rewritten, reassigned, or diminished to serve present-day claims.

Read Mississauga First Nation’s statement here: https://www.facebook.com/MississaugaFirstNation/posts/pfbid04vstFydFcoo2XQezarEhaEBuHH2BqTRh5dmvPrTyEaWkj97YEghn8cHRVPbfoXQnl?rdid=rNz9UqaLYMJNn26h #

For more information, visit the Chiefs of Ontario Rights Assertions webpage here: https://chiefs-of-ontario.org/priorities/justice/rights-assertions/

https://chiefs-of-ontario.org/ontario-regional-chief-abram-benedict-stands-with-mississauga-first-nation-in-defence-of-its-traditional-and-treaty-territory/

09/03/2026

The Chiefs of Ontario are hosting an Ontario Final Agreement (OFA) Southern Gathering from November 4-5 in Toronto, ON for southern First Nations to attend.

This gathering will be used for First Nations to work on their Multi-Year Plans, and First Nation Investment Infrastructure Plans, and to collaborate with their affiliated Agency on the Child and Community Wellbeing Plans and Agency Investment Infrastructure Plan. This gathering will provide a unique opportunity for First Nations and Agencies to work together, address questions in real time, and advance planning activities collaboratively.

We strongly encourage your affiliated Agency to attend and participate alongside your First Nation. Their involvement is critical to the development of Child and Community Well-Being Plans and Investment Infrastructure Plans, as well as to ensuring a coordinated approach to implementing the Ontario Final Agreement.

For additional information, or to complete registration, please visit: https://www.chiefsmeeting.com/ofasoutherngathering

09/01/2026

The Chiefs of Ontario are hosting an Ontario Final Agreement (OFA) Northern Gathering from October 7-8 in Thunder Bay, ON for northern First Nations to attend.

This gathering will be used for First Nations to work on their Multi-Year Plans, and First Nation Investment Infrastructure Plans, and to collaborate with their affiliated Agency on the Child and Community Wellbeing Plans and Agency Investment Infrastructure Plan. This gathering will provide a unique opportunity for First Nations and Agencies to work together, address questions in real time, and advance planning activities collaboratively.

We strongly encourage your affiliated Agency to attend and participate alongside your First Nation. Their involvement is critical to the development of Child and Community Well-Being Plans and Investment Infrastructure Plans, as well as to ensuring a coordinated approach to implementing the Ontario Final Agreement.

For additional informatin, or to complete registration, please visit: www.chiefsmeeting.com/ofanortherngathering

08/31/2026

This morning on Parliament Hill, a press conference was held to demand accountability and systemic change following the decision to grant full parole to Brayden Bushby.

Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum, Barbara Kentner’s sister Connie Kentner, Two Spirit Council member NaWalka Geeshy Meegwun, and Algonquin Elder and activist Claudette Commanda called for meaningful parole reform, stronger risk assessments, and a justice system that recognizes and addresses anti-Indigenous racism and violence.

Barbara’s family deserves answers. First Nations Peoples and all Canadians deserve a justice and parole system that takes anti-Indigenous racism, violence, and public safety seriously.

To watch the full press conference, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7Nhw76Ywlc

To take action, sign the letter campaign here: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/justice-for-barbara-kentner-first-nations-call-for-action?source=direct_link&

To learn more, visit: https://chiefs-of-ontario.org/justice-for-bar...

08/31/2026

Today, Barbara Kentner’s family and First Nations Leadership are standing together in Ottawa to demand accountability and systemic change following the decision to grant full parole to Brayden Bushby, who was convicted of manslaughter in Barbara’s death.

Barbara’s family and community have carried the impacts of her death for nearly a decade. They are raising serious concerns about whether their voices were meaningfully included in the recent parole process and how Bushby’s well documented conduct, including racist and hate-related behavior, previous breaches of conditional release, and substance-related concerns was weighed in assessing risk to the public.

“We want to know why the Parole Board has not communicated with any member of the Kentner family when some of us registered in the victim’s portal. They know our emails, for some of us, our cellphones haven’t changed since 2017 and still we were not invited to participate in the parole process as victims,” said Melissa Kentner, sister of Barbara Kenter.

First Nations Leadership are calling for clear accountability, meaningful review mechanisms, stronger parole risk assessments, and dedicated, culturally safe support for First Nations victims and families. These changes matter to everyone. Canadians must be able to trust that serious risk factors including racism, hate-related behaviors, and previous breaches, are fully considered before someone is released into the community.

“Our hearts are with Barbara Kentner’s family today. They have carried so much — the loss of their loved one, years of waiting for justice, and now this. No family should have to go through what they have been through.

What weighs on me most is learning that Barbara’s family may not have even been told this hearing was taking place. They were represented by impact statements made years ago, while Brayden Bushby was able to speak to who he is today. Barbara’s family deserved that same opportunity. They deserved to be in the room. They deserved to be heard.

The Board’s own decision notes troubling behaviour and attitudes. We are left asking the questions that any grieving family would ask — whether their loved one’s life was given the weight it deserved, and whether they received the same care and consideration from the justice system that others would expect.

Barbara Kentner was a sister, a daughter, and a friend. She is deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, and we will continue to walk alongside them.” said Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum, Nishnawbe Aski Nation.

First Nations Leadership are also calling for a dedicated, proactive, culturally safe support service for First Nations victim and families navigating the federal corrections and parole system. Families should be informed directly of hearings and decisions, supported in exercising their rights, and provided with a clear point of contact throughout the process. No grieving family should be left to navigate a complex federal system on their own.

“Barbara’s family deserves answers, and Canadians deserve confidence that decisions about public safety fully account for an individual’s complete record of behaviour and risk. First Nations families should not have to fight to be informed or heard. We are calling for greater accountability, stronger consideration of anti-Indigenous racism and hate in risk assessments, and a dedicated system of support for First Nations victim and families,” said Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict.

“We stand with Barbara’s family and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation. The decision to grant full parole to the person responsible for Barbara’s death is a miscarriage of justice and sends an unacceptable message to our people. Our people should not have to continually fight to have our lives valued and our families treated with dignity by the justice system. We expect justice. We expect accountability. And we will continue to demand both,” said Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh, Grand Council Treaty #3.

Following this morning’s press conference on Parliament Hill, Barbara’s family, First Nations Leadership, and supporters will march to the Parole Board of Canada National Office for a public demonstration and remarks.

Barbara’s family and community deserve accountability. First Nations Peoples and all Canadians deserve confidence that Canada’s justice, corrections, and parole systems recognize the realities of anti-Indigenous racism and violence and take public safety seriously.

To read the full statement, visit: https://chiefs-of-ontario.org/justice-for-barbara-kentner-first-nations-leadership-demand-federal-accountability-and-action/

08/31/2026

WARNING: This post addresses sensitive topics that may be triggering. For support, contact 9-8-8 (Su***de Crisis Helpline) or 1-855-242-3310 (Hope for Wellness Helpline).

On International Overdose Awareness Day, we honor the lives lost to overdose and acknowledge the ongoing impact of the toxic drug crisis in First Nation across Ontario.

This day is a reminder of the importance of compassion, understanding, and action. By supporting each other and walking together, we can build healthier, stronger communities for generations to come.

The Chiefs of Ontario continues to advance evidence-informed solutions and approaches that support First Nations health and well-being, including contributing to a recent Canadian Journal of Public Health study examining opioid and benzodiazepine use among First Nations people in Ontario.

The findings contribute to a greater understanding of opioid and benzodiazepine use and can help inform culturally appropriate approaches to health, wellness, and harm reduction.

Read the full report: https://tinyurl.com/mtsj5fjy

08/28/2026

The Chiefs of Ontario will host a virtual session on Lake Ontario Nutrients and Algal Blooms on October 14, 2026.

Join Canada Water Agency Program Officers Julia Hatcher and Jacob Orlandi for an overview of the Lakewide Management process for Lake Ontario and a closer look at one of the lake's key environmental challenges: nearshore algae.

Learn about how resource management agencies work together to protect Lake Ontario, explore nutrient sources and impacts, and hear about the Canada Water Agency's efforts to address nutrient-related issues, including the development of a Canadian Nutrients Strategy for Lake Ontario.

Registration is now live: https://coo.smudging.ca:8443/Meeting/Register/21d077bf-649a-4cb1-a3dc-55d012c44dfc

Date: October 14, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Location: Virtual via Microsoft Teams
Who should attend: First Nations Leadership, technicians, and community members

For more information, visit: https://www.chiefsmeeting.com/lake-ontario-nutrients-and-algal-blooms-a-lakewide-perspective

08/28/2026

On Monday, August 31, Barbara Kentner’s family and First Nations Leadership will gather in Ottawa to demand accountability following the decision to grant Brayden Bushby full parole.

A press conference will take place at 10:00 a.m. ET, followed by a public march and rally beginning at the Centennial Flame at 11:00 a.m. ET.

Supporters are encouraged to attend and wear red in solidarity with Barbara’s family.

View the full media advisory here:

(Ottawa, Ontario – Aug 27, 2026) First Nations Leadership and members of Barbara Kentner's family will hold a press conference and march on Parliament Hill on Monday, August 31, 2026, to demand accountability following the decision to grant full parole to the man convicted of manslaughter in her d...

08/04/2026

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) Indigenous Engagement Team application intake window for the Indigenous Energy Support Program (IESP) 3.0 is now open.

This is a time of growth for Ontario’s energy sector and Indigenous communities and organizations are playing a pivotal role with participation in new procurement opportunities, transmission development and energy infrastructure investments that support the increasing energy needs of the province.

The IESP promotes broad equitable participation in Ontario’s energy sector for Indigenous communities and organizations by supporting capacity building through flexible funding opportunities, including community energy planning and energy infrastructure development, the building of energy knowledge and awareness, as well as skills related to energy projects.

The IESP application window opened on, July 30, 2026, and will remain open until 11:59 p.m. EDT on October 2, 2026.

At this time, interested applicants should begin to prepare and submit a completed POF to [email protected] for review prior to submitting a formal application.

The IESP Team will review submitted POFs and provide guidance on project eligibility, application requirements, and next steps for the formal application process.

For more information, please visit:

The Chiefs of Ontario Environment Sector have shared the following resource: 2026 IESO Indigenous Energy Support Program (IESP) Application Intake Window The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) Indigenous Engagement Team is pleased to announce that the application intake window for the In...