In what Regional Chief Isadore Day described as “the most important collective milestone in modern times”, Chiefs of Ontario and the Government of Ontario signed a historic Political Accord on Tuesday August, 24, 2015.

That Accord

• Affirms that First Nations’ inherent right to self-government and that the relationship between Ontario and the First Nations must be based upon respect for this right.
• Commits the parties to work together on issues of mutual interest, including resource benefits sharing, the treaty relationship and jurisdictional matters.
• Sets a path for further reconciliation between First Nations and the people of Ontario.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne signed the Accord for the Province, while Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day signed on behalf of the Political Confederacy and Chiefs-in-Assembly. Chiefs of Ontario advocate on behalf of 133 First Nations in Ontario.

The Accord creates a formal bilateral relationship framed by the recognition of the treaty relationship. It also commits the Premier and First Nations’ leadership to meet twice yearly in order to further advance their efforts on shared priorities.

The Premier noted that

” The signing of this Accord represents a renewal of the relationship between the First Nations and Ontario and is an important step in the ongoing revitalization of First Nations communities. Most of all, it is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of peoples across the province, and to start to build a better future for our children and grandchildren.”

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