The Anishinabek Nation incorporated the Union of Ontario Indians (UOI) as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 39 member First Nations across Ontario. The Union of Ontario Indians is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact. The UOI represents 39 First Nations throughout the province of Ontario from Golden Lake in the east, Sarnia in the south, Thunder Bay and Lake Nipigon in the north. The 39 First Nations have an approximate combined population of 55,000 citizens, one third of the province of Ontario’s aboriginal population. The Anishinabek Nation has four strategic regional areas Southwest, Southeast, Lake Huron and Northern Superior and each region is represented by a Regional Grand Chief. The UOI has its headquarters located on Nipissing First Nation, just outside of North Bay Ontario and have satellite offices in Thunder Bay, Curve Lake First Nation and Munsee-Delaware First Nation.