In October 2008, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip concluded his fourth consecutive four-year term as Chief of the Penticton Indian Band (PIB), and served the Band as Chief for a total of 14 years. In addition, he served as an elected band councilor for a 10-year period. Aside from serving as a member of the PIB Council for a total of 24 years, Grand Chief Phillip served as the chair of the Okanagan Nation Alliance from 2004-2020.

In October 2006, the Okanagan Nation, led by the elders of the Penticton Indian Band, acknowledged his lifetime commitment to the defense of Indigenous Peoples’ Title and Rights by bestowing on him and his family the rare honour of the title of Grand Chief. Aside from serving as a member of the PIB council for a total of 24 years, he is proud to be in his ninth three-year term as the president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.