Latest News

Statement

September 18, 2020

UBCIC Stands in Solidarity with the Mi’kmaq and Condemns Reprehensible, Unlawful Acts of Violence and Hostility against Mi’kmaq Fishers

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – September 18, 2020) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) strongly denounces the ongoing attempts by non-Indigenous fisherman to intimidate, threaten, and prevent Mi’kmaq fisher men and women from exercising their unextinguished and constitutionally affirmed fishing rights. These actions represent a serious and critical threat not only to the Mi’kmaq Nation’s welfare and safety, but to the collective treaty rights and sovereignty of First Nations across the country

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Delegation Appearing at Vancouver Police Board to Demand Ban on Police Street Checks; Over Ninety Organizations Call for Street Check Ban

September 17, 2020, (Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C – A coalition of organizations are appearing remotely as a Delegation at the Vancouver Police Board meeting on September 17 at 1 pm.

News Release

September 15, 2020

The First Nations Leadership Council mourns the passing of Ronald “Bud” Sparrow, Indigenous rights defendant

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is mourning the loss of Ronald Sparrow of Musqueam First Nation and sends condolences to family and community members. As a commercial fisherman, he took the lead in the struggle for Indigenous fishing rights and the dismantling of the increasingly restrictive regulatory DFO framework favouring commercial fisheries in British Columbia. Mr. Sparrow won a landmark ruling (R v Sparrow) thirty years ago (1990) in the Supreme Court of Canada. The highest court in the land recognized existing Indigenous rights to fish for food and ceremonial purposes ahead of other user groups. Since then this ruling has reverberated throughout the judicial system as First Nations continue to battle for and obtain recognition for Indigenous rights, treaty rights and title.

News Release

September 11, 2020

Wave of COVID-19 is Hitting Vancouver’s DTES:
Residents Encouraged to Take Precautions; UBCIC Welcomes Urgent, Transparent Action from VCH

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – September 11, 2020) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) has learned that there are confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) among residents and front line staff, with multiple cases in some locations. UBCIC is calling on all residents of the DTES, neighbours and staff, to take heightened safety precautions and get tested if they are presenting any symptoms of COVID, while ensuring that existing services continue to be used. To halt what could be a disastrous and fatal outbreak, UBCIC is seeking an updated urgent, public, comprehensive action plan from Vancouver Coastal Health and the Province, that will target and protect the DTES’ vulnerable populations, especially Indigenous peoples. 

OPEN LETTER: Federal Support Urgently Needed in Addressing Homelessness

Dear Minister Hussen, Prime Minister Trudeau, and Deputy Prime Minister Freeland, 

We are writing to request immediate federal funding to address the short and long-term housing insecurity and the safety needs of people experiencing homelessness in Vancouver. Crucially, those residing in encampments such as Camp KT, a significant proportion of whom are Indigenous, need urgent and sustained relief. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Civil Liberties and Indigenous Rights Groups Call on CRCC to Immediately Take Conduct of Investigation into Wet’suwet’en Land Defender’s Police Complaint

VANCOUVER/ (Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) territories, August 27, 2020 –BC Civil Liberties Association and Union of BC Indian Chiefs are calling on the Chairperson of the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP (CRCC) to immediately take charge of the investigation of a Wet’suwet’en land defender’s police complaint.

Statement
August 18, 2020

UBCIC Remembers Renowned Nisg̱a’a Leader and Trailblazer Joseph Gosnell

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – August 18, 2020) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Joseph Gosnell after his long-fought battle with cancer. An admired politician, treaty negotiator and incomparable leader of the Nisga’a Nation, UBCIC mourns the loss of not only an incredible pioneer of Indigenous Title and Rights, but a loving father who leaves behind seven children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We offer our deepest condolences to his wife of 64 years, Audrey Adele, his family, friends, and community members.

News Release
For Immediate Release
August 18, 2020

First Nations Leaders Declare Collapse of Pacific Sockeye 

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.— Aug. 18, 2020) — Due to catastrophic decline in stocks, the First Nations Leadership Council is calling on Bernadette Jordan, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, to issue an emergency order to close all sockeye fisheries on the Fraser River.

“Fisheries and Oceans recently put the estimated return of sockeye to the Fraser at 283,000. This is the lowest return in my lifetime, and probably the lowest in history,” said BC Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Terry Teegee. “Ten years ago, the Cohen Commission was looking into sockeye decline when we had over a million fish returning. The federal government has clearly not taken this situation seriously – this is a non-partisan issue. Minister Jordan needs to declare this stock collapsed and issue an emergency order to close all sockeye fisheries. We don’t have any more time,” he continued.