Established in 1997, the Chiefs Secretariat serves as the political coordinating body for the Rainy Lake Chiefs.  Represented by seven First Nations, the Rainy Lake Chiefs Secretariat fulfills its mission of identifying issues of common interest and collectively determining solutions through advocacy and partnership.

The office is staffed with one Coordinator who is responsible for the day to day operations of the office.  The Chiefs meet regularly on the third Monday of every month.

Eagle Staff History – As told by Willie Wilson, Rainy River First Nations

In the early 1990’s, Joe Sayers presented the Chiefs of the Southern Tribal Territory with the staff as a show of appreciation for the hospitality and acceptance he experienced while in the area.  He did this presentation at the Rainy River First Nations pow-wow.

This gift was for the Chiefs and was to be present at each of the pow-wows in the area.  It is the Chief’s responsibility to carry the staff into the pow-wow.

The staff should be feasted in the spring and fall and should always be present at Chiefs meetings.  If one Chief is identified as being responsible for the care of the staff, this Chief should bring the staff in and walk around the table, and position it in the front of the room.

Each Chief present should provide an offering of tobacco to the eagle staff.  At the end of the meeting, the tobacco should be gathered from the staff and put out as an offering on clean ground.  Women cannot do this.

Area Tribal Chief Brian Perrault was the first individual to carry the eagle staff.

The Secretariat pipe should be feasted alongside the eagle staff and a Chief should be identified to be responsible for its care.  Again, a woman cannot be responsible for this undertaking.