Allied Tribes of British Columbia facts for kids

The Allied Tribes of British Columbia (ATBC) was an important organization for Indigenous rights in British Columbia. It was formed after World War I and brought together 16 different Indigenous groups. Their main goal was to address issues about land claims and aboriginal title in the province.

Forming the Allied Tribes

The Allied Tribes of British Columbia was created in 1916. Two groups, the Indian Rights Association and the Interior Tribes of British Columbia, joined forces. They came together because they were against the McKenna–McBride Royal Commission. This commission was looking at the size of Indian reserves in British Columbia. Its job was to check, expand, or often make reserves smaller. Many Indigenous nations had met in Spence's Bridge the year before to support a request from the Nisga'a people for a treaty. The McKenna-McBride Royal Commission's report was approved in 1923.

Seeking Justice in London

In 1921, a court in Britain, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, ruled in favor of a Nigerian Chief named Oluwa. He was seeking payment for land. This decision inspired the Allied Tribes. They decided to try and take their own case for aboriginal title to the Privy Council in London.

In 1926, three Chiefs from British Columbia, including William Pierrish of the Neskonlith Indian Band, traveled to London. They carried a petition asking for their aboriginal title to be recognized. In London, they met with the Canadian High Commission. The commission promised to give their documents to King George, but they did not.

The End of the Allied Tribes

A meeting was set up in Ottawa in the spring of 1927. There, Duncan Campbell Scott, a high-ranking government official in charge of Indigenous affairs, dismissed their land claim.

After this, the Indian Act was changed. This new rule made it illegal for anyone to ask for money to support Indigenous legal claims. This was only allowed if they had a special permit from the Superintendent-General. Scott said this change was needed to protect Indigenous peoples. Without being able to raise money for their important work, the Allied Tribes of British Columbia had to stop operating.

A New Beginning

Even after the Allied Tribes dissolved, the fight for Indigenous rights continued. One of the leaders of the Allied Tribes of British Columbia was Squamish chief Andrew Paull. In 1931, he started a new organization called the Native Brotherhood of British Columbia. This group later became known as the North American Indian Brotherhood.