Anishinabek Nation
First Nations organization in Ontario, Canada
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Anishinabek Nation, also known as the Union of Ontario Indians, is a First Nations political organization representing 39 member Anishinabek Nation First Nations in Canada in the province of Ontario, Canada.[2]
Ngo Dwe Waanigzid Anishinabe | |
| Formation | 1949 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Anishinabek Nation Head Office |
| Location | |
| Members | 39 First Nations |
Official language | Anishinabemowin (Ojibwe) |
Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief | Linda Debassige |
Anishinabek Nation Deputy Grand Council Chief | Chris Plain |
Key people | Marcia Trudeau-Bomberry, CEO |
Main organ | Grand Council Assembly |
| Website | www |
Formerly called | Union of Ontario Indians |
As of 2026, there are about 70,000 citizens of the Anishinabek Nation member communities, accounting for about one-third of the total First Nations population in the province of Ontario.[2]
History
The organization's roots predate European contact in the 16th century, in the Council of Three Fires.[2]
The Union of Ontario Indians was incorporated in 1949 to serve as a political advocate and secretariat for the Anishinabek First Nations. The Anishinabek peoples speak Anishinaabemowin and Lunaape (in Munsee Delaware Nation) within the Anishinabek Nation territory in Ontario.[3]
The nation's logo is a stylized thunderbird, which was created in the 1970s by Nick Deleary.[4]
In 2007 the organization appointed an Anishinabek Women's Water Commission to advise on water issues and management of the Great Lakes.[5][6]
In 2017, the Council changed its identification using the name "Union of Ontario Indians" only for legally-binding agreements but for all other purposes referred to themselves as Anishinabek Nation.[3]
Leadership Council
The Anishinabek Nation is guided by a Leadership Council, consisting of a Grand Council Chief, four Regional Deputy Grand Council Chiefs, and Nation Councils representing four geographic regions: Southeast, Southwest, Lake Huron, and Northern Superior.[2][7]
The restructuring that introduced the current four regional deputy grand council chiefs occurred in 2018.[8][9]
The head office for the Union of Ontario Indians is located in North Bay, Ontario.[1]
As of 2026, the Grand Council consists of:[7][10]
- Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige (M'Chigeeng First Nation)
- Deputy Grand Council Chief Chris Plain (Aamjiwnaang First Nation)
- Regional Chief Scott McLeod (Lake Huron, Nipissing First Nation)
- Regional Chief Melvin Hardy (Northern Superior, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek)
- Regional Chief Marsha Smoke (Southeast, Alderville First Nation)
- Regional Chief Joe Miskokomon (Southwest, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation)
- Wiikwemkoong Representative Ogimaa Tim Ominika (Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory)
