A tribal council is an association of First Nations bands in Canada, generally along regional, ethnic or linguistic lines.[1]
An Indian band, usually consisting of one main community, is the fundamental unit of government for First Nations in Canada. Bands may unite to form a tribal council, but they need not do so. Bands that do not belong to a tribal council are said to be independent. Bands may and do withdraw from tribal councils. Furthermore, the authority that bands delegate to their tribal council varies, with some tribal councils serving as a strong, central organization while others are granted limited power by their members.
Nunavut and Newfoundland and Labrador do not have any tribal councils.[2]
As of 2019[update], Alberta has ten tribal councils:[3]
As of 2021[update], Manitoba has seven tribal councils:[3][5]
Manitoba Keewatinook Ininew Okimowin (MKO), though not a tribal council, represents citizens of 26 First Nations who are signatories to Treaties 4, 5, 6, and 10.[6]
As of 2019[update], the Northwest Territories has five tribal councils:[3]
As of 2019[update], Atlantic Canada has a collective total of nine tribal councils, with Newfoundland and Labrador having no tribal councils at all.[7]
As of 2019[update], Ontario has sixteen tribal councils:[3]
As of 2019[update], Quebec has seven tribal councils (First Nations listed in English):[3]
As of 2019[update], Saskatchewan has nine tribal councils:[3]
As of 2019[update], Yukon has two tribal councils:[3]
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