Robert Phillips is a member of Tsq’escen’ (Canim Lake Band) of the Northern Secwepemc te Qelmucw (Secwepemc Nation). Born on the lands of the Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribes (Chilliwack Tribes) in the Sto:lo Nation with family ties and relations at Skowkale First Nation.
Robert holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University College of the Fraser Valley. Mr. Phillips has an extensive negotiations background in treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements with Aboriginal Rights & Title and First Nation/Indigenous political experience.
Mr. Phillips was previously elected by First Nations Summit to three 2-year terms as a Commissioner of the BC Treaty Commission (2007-2013). He also previously served as Chief Negotiator and Self-Government Director at the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council (1997-2007) and as a Justice Liaison in Justice/Aboriginal Rights & Title at Sto:lo Nation (1993-97).
Mr. Phillips is presently serving a fourth term as an elected member of the FNS Political Executive which is elected by the First Nation Summit Chiefs and delegates (2013-present), and also serves on the First Nation Leadership Council (FNLC) (2013-present). The First Nation Summit is mandated to carry out specific tasks related to treaty negotiations and advocating for other issues of common concern and as mandated by First Nations in British Columbia.
E-mail Robert at: rphillips(at)fns.bc.ca