Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians facts for kids
The Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians (AIAI) is an organization in Ontario, Canada. It works to protect and improve the rights of seven First Nations communities. These rights include their traditional Indigenous ways of life and the agreements (treaties) they made with governments.
AIAI started in 1969. At that time, some government actions tried to make First Nations people give up their culture and traditions. AIAI was formed to stand up against this. Today, AIAI helps these seven nations by speaking for them and studying important topics like health, education, and how they work with other governments. They have even spoken to the United Nations twice about the living conditions and land claims of their people.
Who Belongs to AIAI?
AIAI is special because its members are very diverse. It includes communities from the Oneida, Mohawk, Delaware, Potawatomi, and Ojibway nations. These communities are spread across Ontario and have different languages and cultural practices. However, they all come together through AIAI to protect their Indigenous and Treaty rights.
About 20,000 people live in the communities that are part of AIAI. These communities are:
- Batchewana First Nation, near Sault Ste. Marie
- Caldwell First Nation, near Leamington
- Hiawatha First Nation near Peterborough
- Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, near Belleville
- Moravian of the Thames (Delaware Nation), near Chatham
- Oneida Nation of the Thames, near London
- Wahta Mohawks near Parry Sound
How AIAI is Led
AIAI is guided by a group called the Chiefs Council. This council is made up of the elected Chiefs from each of the member Nations. The Chiefs Council has a main leader called the Grand Chief and another leader called the Deputy Grand Chief. They meet four times a year to discuss important matters.
Current Leaders
- Grand Chief Gord Peters
- Deputy Grand Chief Denise Stonefish
- Chief Dean Sayers, Batchewana
- Chief Louise Hillier, Caldwell
- Chief Greg Peters, Delaware
- Chief Laurie Carr, Hiawatha
- Chief R. Donald Maracle, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte
- Chief Sheri Doxtator, Oneida
- Chief Philip Franks, Wahta
