Band government

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A Band (French: bande; also known as a First Nation) is an administrative entity and basic unit of government for First Nations in Canada, created by the Indian Act of 1876. It includes members of a First Nation group, "for whom lands have been set apart, and for whom money is held by the Crown." As of 2024, there were 619 bands in Canada, representing over 50 First Nation groups.

Bands function as local governments, managing infrastructure on their reserves, education, and social services. Each band is typically governed by an elected band council (French: conseil de bande) chaired by an elected chief, and sometimes also a hereditary chief. Membership is determined either through the Indian Register maintained by Indigenous Services Canada, or by the individual bands. Many First Nations also have large off-reserve populations whom the band government also represents; it may also deal with non-members who live on reserve or work for the band.

Bands can be united into larger regional groupings such as tribal councils, treaty councils or associations, chiefs' councils, provincial councils or similar organization, and national organizations like the Assembly of First Nations.