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Native Brotherhood of BC


NATIVE BROTHERHOOD OF BC is an organization of coastal FIRST NATIONS. It was created in Dec 1931 after the HAIDA fisher Alfred ADAMS convened a meeting of North Coast chiefs to discuss forming a successor to the ALLIED INDIAN TRIBES OF BC. Because it was prohibited by law from pursuing land claims (see ABORIGINAL RIGHTS), the Brotherhood concerned itself mainly with FISHING issues, eventually becoming an aboriginal fishers' union, though it was active on other issues as well. The major cannery owners signed labour agreements with the Brotherhood in 1943 and it has been the chief bargaining agent for aboriginal commercial fishers and some plant workers ever since. It is the longest-lasting aboriginal organization in Canada. See also FISHING, COMMERCIAL; LABOUR MOVEMENT; SALMON CANNERIES.