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For Immediate Release, January 10, 2023:

160+ organizations call on BC to follow through on old-growth commitments

Groups announce Feb. 25 rally at provincial legislature, issue declaration calling on the province to accelerate action for threatened forests

UNCEDED LEKWUNGEN TERRITORIES/VICTORIA – 168 organizations across British Columbia have issued a declaration called United We Stand for Old-Growth Forests, calling on Premier David Eby and his government to fulfill their commitments on old-growth. 

News Release 

December 19, 2022

FNLC Critical of the Continued Marginalization of Indigenous Peoples at COP15

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) As the fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity wraps up on Kanien'kehá:ka territory in Montreal, the First Nations Leadership Council recognizes the significant and outsized contributions of Indigenous peoples across the globe in protecting the biodiversity within their territories and assert that Indigenous peoples must be equal partners at any table discussing and making decisions about management of their territories.

News Release

November 23, 2022

While DFO and BC Delay, all West Coast US States Take Action and Ban Open Net-Pen Fish Farms

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – November 23, 2022) On November 18, 2022, Washington State joined California, Oregon, and Alaska in banning open net-pen fish farming, an act that makes BC the backwards outlier of the west coast by denying science and prioritizing the fish farm industry over the survival of wild salmon. UBCIC calls on the federal and provincial governments to take immediate action to ban open net-pens and only allow land-based closed containment farms.

News Release
November 22, 2022

UBCIC Seeks Answers in Tragic Death of Indigenous Man in Custody in BC

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – November 22, 2022) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) was devastated to learn about the horrific death of Kendal Campeau, 31, of Yellow Quill First Nation at the Pacific Institution in Abbotsford, BC on November 14, 2021.

Press Release
November 17, 2022

UBCIC Marks Premier John Horgan’s Five Years of Leadership, Renews Calls to NDP Government

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – November 17, 2022) On Honourable John Horgan’s last day as Premier of BC, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) acknowledges his leadership and looks to the BC NDP and premier-designate David Eby to carry forward the work of reconciliation and full recognition of Indigenous Title and Rights.

Press Release
November 15, 2022

Study reveals that more than 99% of Indigenous people surveyed in BC have faced discrimination when using their Indian status card

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – Indian status card holders face stigma and discrimination on a daily basis when presenting them at stores or to officials, according to a landmark study commissioned by the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.

November 9, 2022

OPEN LETTER: UBCIC concerned that Canada and BC are prioritizing fish farm industry over wild salmon

Dear Minister Murray and Minister Osborne,

We urge you to take decisive action and remove all open net-pen fish farms from BC waters as soon as possible. Wild salmon are rapidly declining, and the science is clear - open net-pen aquaculture spreads diseases, viruses, and waste, and devastates wild salmon stocks. Instead of delivering on its mandate to transition from open net-pen farms in BC waters by 2025, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has released a fish farm transition plan process that abandons the precautionary principle and disregards First Nations Title and Rights. Instead of pushing the federal government to act, the Province of BC is delaying the urgent transition of all fish farms to land.

Statement
November 9, 2022

UBCIC Remembers Hereditary Chief Madeek, Gidimt'en Clan Leader and Land Defender

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – November) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) mourns the passing of Chief Madeek (Jeff Brown), hereditary leader of the Gidimt'en clan, who will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to Wet’suwet’en Title and Rights and his ardent protection of the lands and waters for future generations to come. He stood fiercely and proudly opposed to the Coastal GasLink LNG Expansion Pipeline in order to protect the lands and waters.