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Allied Indian Tribes of BC


ALLIED INDIAN TRIBES OF BC (1916–27) was a FIRST NATIONS organization formed at a meeting on the SQUAMISH Nation RESERVE in N VANCOUVER. The association, led by Andrew PAULL and Peter KELLY, represented 16 tribal groups from all parts of the province. It was formed to pursue aboriginal land claims in the courts and it became the voice of BC aboriginal people on many issues. In 1927 a special parliamentary committee in Ottawa considered the Allied Tribes' arguments and ultimately rejected them. Soon after, the Indian Act was amended to prohibit the First Nations from pursuing their claims without government approval. This legislation forced the collapse of the Allied Tribes. See also ABORIGINAL RIGHTS.