Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians facts for kids
The Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians (AIAI) is an important group that works to protect the rights of seven First Nations communities in Ontario, Canada. It's like a team that speaks up for these communities.
AIAI started in 1969. At that time, the government was trying to make First Nations people change their ways and give up their cultures. AIAI was formed to help stop this and protect their unique traditions and rights. Today, AIAI helps these seven nations with important things like health, education, and their special rights from treaties. They have even talked to the United Nations twice about how their communities live and about land that belongs to them.
Who Belongs to AIAI?
AIAI is special because its members come from different First Nations groups. These include Oneida, Mohawk, Delaware, Potawatomi, and Ojibway communities. Even though they speak different languages and have different customs, they all work together through AIAI. They unite to protect their Indigenous rights and the rights given to them by treaties.
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 seven member Nations. The Chiefs Council has a leader called the Grand Chief and a Deputy Grand Chief. They meet four times a year to discuss important matters.
Current Leaders of the Chiefs Council
- 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
