Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine cut off his trademark ponytail Monday to raise money for children's charities.

Fontaine gave up his ponytail at an Ottawa hair salon to kick off a "cut-a-thon" organized by hair product company Redken Canada and non-profit foundation One X One. Proceeds from cuts at 200 participating salons across Canada on Sunday, June 3, will go to One X One.

Elder Elmer Courchene uses sweetgrass in a ceremony before cutting off Phil Fontaine's ponytail at an event marking the kickoff of Redken Canada's benefit for child poverty, at a hair salon in Ottawa on Monday.
(Tom Hanson/Canadian Press)

It's not the first time Fontaine has offered his ponytail for charity. Two years ago at the Assembly of First Nations annual Christmas party, he auctioned off the right to cut his hair to raise money and awareness for Make Poverty History: The First Nations Plan for Creating Opportunity.

He raised $58,000 for that campaign, but his ponytail was spared at the last minute as the winner opted to cut off his tie instead.

Redken Canada organized Monday's cut-a-thon along with One X One, a Canadian foundation that helps vulnerable children. Last year, One X One distributed funds to charities such as War Child Canada, Right to Play and Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada.