In Canadian law, a 'band' is the legal term under the Indian Act for a body of First Nations people whose collective use of lands and money is held by the Crown. Each band has a Band Council that governs the community, often including a chief and councillors elected or selected according to the band's customs or Indian Act rules. However, many Indigenous people prefer terms like 'First Nation' or their own nation's name, finding 'band' to be colonial terminology that does not reflect their identity. The Indian Act framework, including the band system, has been criticized for undermining traditional governance and self-determination. Many First Nations are pursuing self-government beyond the band system.