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.
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.
[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.