First Nations Leadership Council Raises Concerns over Fast-Tracked Fossil Fuel Expansion Without First Nations Consent
NEWS RELEASE
July 7, 2026
First Nations Leadership Council Raises Concerns over Fast-Tracked Fossil Fuel Expansion Without First Nations Consent
(xʷməθkʷə ̓yəm (Musqueam), Sḵw ̱xwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) – The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is deeply troubled by the coordinated efforts of the federal and provincial governments to fast-track new fossil fuel infrastructure and energy export proposals in British Columbia under the pretext of economic development and national interest. First Nations have been clear: reconciliation cannot coexist with unilateral decisions that undermine First Nations’ rights, title, human and treaty rights, the standards of free, prior, and informed consent, and the constitutional duty to consult and accommodate.
Read moreUBCIC Responds to Coordinated Government Push for Fossil Fuel Expansion in British Columbia
News Release
July 3, 2026
UBCIC Responds to Coordinated Government Push for Fossil Fuel Expansion in British Columbia
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – July 3, 2026) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is raising serious concerns following multiple announcements by the Governments of Canada, British Columbia and Alberta to accelerate major resource development, including increased support for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure and a proposed oil pipeline corridor terminating at Roberts Bank. UBCIC questions if the proposed oil pipeline corridor has the consent of all impacted First Nations, and raises deep alarm over the irreversible climate impacts of the proposed projects, while celebrating the resolve of Coastal First Nations who have successfully kept the north coast out of a new pipeline route.
Read moreWhy Our Lands Are Not For Sale: Celebrating Mildred C. Poplar's Book Release on National Indigenous Peoples Day
News Release
June 21, 2026
Why Our Lands Are Not For Sale: Celebrating Mildred C. Poplar's Book Release on National Indigenous Peoples Day
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – June 21, 2026) As First Nations and all Indigenous Peoples across the country celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) proudly celebrates the recent release of Why Our Lands are Not For Sale: The Inside Story of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (Why Our Lands are Not for Sale) by longtime UBCIC advocate and staff member, Mildred C. Poplar. The UBCIC honoured the publication of the book at the June 3, 2026, Chiefs Council meeting held at Shxwhá:y Village (Sto:lo Territory), while also recognizing Millie's decades of service and her invaluable contributions to documenting our collective history and helping us chart the path forward.
Read moreNew, First Nations-led guidance sets baseline expectations for Reconciliation Action Plans in B.C.
New, First Nations-led guidance sets baseline expectations for Reconciliation Action Plans in B.C.
xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, June 19, 2026 — As companies across British Columbia adopt Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs), a new paper from the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), developed in collaboration with the Reconciliation and Responsible Investment Institute (RRII) and West Coast Environmental Law (WCEL) sets the baseline expectations for companies to credibly call a plan a “RAP”.
Read moreOpen Letter: Upholding the 2029 Transition from Open Net-Pen Fish Farms in British Columbia
June 17, 2026
The Right Honourable Mark Carney
Prime Minister of Canada
The Honourable Joanne Thompson
Minister of Fisheries
Re: Upholding the 2029 Transition from Open Net-Pen Fish Farms in British Columbia
Dear Prime Minister Carney and Minister Thompson,
The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) writes to urge the Government of Canada to uphold and fully implement the announced 2029 transition away from open net-pen salmon farming in British Columbia waters.
Read moreYouth Response to BC’s DRIPA Retreat
Dear Relatives, Leaders, and Advocates,
On behalf of a group of 6 Indigenous Youth Climate Leaders, we are sharing our updated position paper: "Inheriting the 100-Year Storm: A Youth Vision Against the 'Postage Stamp' Strategy and Provincial Self-Sabotage."
Read moreUBCIC Rejects Proposed Major Projects Reforms
News Release
June 10, 2026
UBCIC Rejects Proposed Major Projects Reforms
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – June 10, 2026) The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) has submitted recommendations to the Government of Canada regarding its engagement on proposed reforms to federal major project review and approval processes.
Read moreOpen Letter: Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project
Local governments in B.C.
Via e-mail only
June 8, 2026
Open Letter: Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project
Dear local governments in B.C.,
We are writing regarding our collective work to modernize the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) through the Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project (HCATP).
Read more