File F/5/Al5 - Papers relating to Delegation to Ottawa re claims

The file consists of documentation prepared by the Delegation of Allied Indian Tribes of British Columbia (also referred to as Allied Tribes of British Columbia) and presented to various Government of Canada bodies and individuals, including acting Prime Minister Foster, the Special Committee of the House of Commons considering Bill 14, the Senate Committee, as well as the press. The Delegation representing the Allied Indian Tribes of British Columbia in Ottawa was comprised of Peter Calder of the Nisga'a [Nishga] Tribe, George Matheson of the Tsimshian [Tsimpshean] Tribe, Peter R. Kelly of the Haida Tribe, and Chief Basil David of the Shuswap Tribe, and accompanied by Special Agent J.A. Teit.

The contents of the file provide a response to Bills 13 and 14 (proposed amendments to the Indian Act), and deal largely with land and settlement issues following the McKenna-McBride Royal Commission on Indian Affairs for the Province of British Columbia, 1913-1916 (Bill 13), and enfranchisement (Bill 14). Documents in the file also provide a brief history of the formation of the Allied Indian Tribes of British Columbia.

The file consists primarily of carbon copies of submitted correspondence, however there are also some handwritten notes and 109 cards which include an individual's name and their role (typically either chief of delegate of a tribe).