band

A band is a body of Indians for whose collective use and benefit lands have been set apart or money is held by the Crown, or declared to be a band for the purposes of the Indian Act. Each band has its own governing band council, usually consisting of one chief and several councillors. Community members choose the chief and councillors by election, or sometimes through custom. The members of a band generally share common values, traditions and practices rooted in their ancestral heritage. Today, many bands prefer to be known as First Nations (e.g., the Batchewana Band is now called the Batchewana First Nation).

• band council
  This is the governing body for a band. It usually consists of a chief and councillors, who are elected for two or three-year terms (under the Indian Act or band custom) to carry out band business, which may include education; water, sewer and fire services; by-laws; community buildings; schools; roads; and other community businesses and services.

Suggested usage:

Capitalize ‘band' when used as part of a name. Unless you are naming a specific band (e.g., the Bonaparte Indian Band), the word "band" can remain lowercase.