- Definition
A "chief" is a leader in First Nations communities, both historically and today. Sometimes, they are chosen by the community, but the Indian Act also requires First Nations to elect a chief and councillors to manage their reserve for two years.
A chief from a First Nation might speak on behalf of their community about important issues like protecting land and water.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A chief is like the captain of a team, who helps their community work together and make decisions.
Ask your child: Who helps your class or team make decisions together?
Common mix-up: Kids might think a chief is only a character from old stories. Many First Nations communities today elect a chief to be their leader, much like a town elects a mayor.
Examples
- A chief and council might decide how to build a new community centre or playground on their reserve.
- Some communities have hereditary chiefs, where the leadership role is passed down through a family line.
chief is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
