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News Release 
January 25, 2022

First Nations Leadership Council Stands with Williams Lake First Nation During Search for Unmarked Graves

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.)– The First Nations Leadership Council is calling for support for the Williams Lake First Nation as it releases the results of the search for unmarked graves on the grounds of the Saint Joseph’s Mission. Saint Joseph’s Mission operated a residential school from 1886-1981. There have already been a number of confirmed deaths of children there, as well as many cases of abuse by the school’s staff that have resulted in criminal charges.

News Release
January 20, 2022

UBCIC Celebrates Halting of Mining Threat in Skagit Headwaters

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – Jan 20, 2022) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) commends the tremendous dedication and work of an international coalition of U.S. and Canadian First Nations, Tribes, and stakeholders who united to oppose Imperial Metals’ proposal to pursue a mining permit in the headwaters of the Skagit River. Thanks to the collective efforts of this coalition and the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission (SEEC), the SEEC, Imperial Metals and the Government of British Columbia announced a signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on January 19, 2022, that specifies the return of all mining and related rights in the Silverdaisy area of the Canadian Skagit Headwaters held by Imperial Metals back to the Province of British Columbia.  

News Release
January 14, 2022

UBCIC Applauds BCCLA’s Win in Landmark Court Case Against RCMP Commissioner and Court’s Decision to Uphold Police Accountability

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – January 14, 2022) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) congratulates the BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) on winning their precedent-setting lawsuit, which resulted in the Federal Court of Canada’s decision that RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki violated her statutory obligations by failing to respond to investigations into claims of Mountie misconduct. This case marks the first time the court has ruled RCMP must be held accountable for providing a timely answer to complaints filed with the force’s civilian watchdog agency, the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC).

News Release  
January 11, 2022 

FNLC Optimistic that Agreements-in-Principle First Real Step in Reforming Discriminatory First Nations Child and Family Services System 

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) After more than thirty years of advocacy and litigation, the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) welcomed last week’s announcement that there has been an Agreement in Principle reached to reform Canada’s First Nations child and family services program, and to compensate the children and families who have been unjustly impacted by this discriminatory program.  

News Release 
January 11, 2022 

UBCIC Mourns Passing of Gitxsan Simgiigyet-Hereditary Chief Delgamuukw and Honours his Monumental Role in the Delgamuukw-Gisday’wa Decision 

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – January 11, 2022) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) sends our heartfelt prayers and condolences to the family, clan, friends, and colleagues of Gitxsan Simgiigyet-Hereditary Chief Delgamuukw, also known as Earl Muldon, who passed away on January 3, 2022.  Delgamuukw was a legendary and passionate advocate, leader, and humanitarian whose name will always be synonymous with the landmark Supreme Court of Canada Delgamuukw-Gisday’wa decision, which confirmed that Wet’suwet’en and Gitxsan Title and Rights have not been extinguished by any colonial government.  

Statement 
December 11, 2021 

UBCIC Celebrates the 24th Anniversary of the SCC’s Historic Delgamuukw-Gisday’wa Decision and Calls on Crown to Uphold 

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – December 11, 2021) Today the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) marks the 24th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada’s ground-breaking Delgamuukw-Gisday’wa decision, which confirmed the continuing existence of the Wet’suwet’en and Gitxsan Title and Rights, contrary to provincial claims that their Title, if it had existed, had been extinguished. 

Download PDFNews Release
December 8, 2021

Increasing Cases of Systemic Gender-Based Violence Point to Urgent Need to Implement MMIWG2S+ Calls for Justice

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – December 8, 2021) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) shares its wishes for healing for the family and loved ones of Ashley Marie Simpson. Five years and eight months after she went missing, Ashley’s remains were recently found and her boyfriend of the time, Derek Favell, has been charged with her murder. This news came on December 6, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, and serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing reality of unchecked systemic gender-based violence.

New mapping shows approved or pending logging permits in at least 50,000 hectares of BC’s target deferral area

Thursday, December 02, 2021

 Stalled old-growth deferral process leaves irreplaceable at-risk forest on the chopping block, some areas already logged

VICTORIA / UNCEDED LEKWUNGEN TERRITORIES — New mapping analysis by the Wilderness Committee shows at least 50,000 hectares — more than four times the area of the City of Vancouver — of the old-growth forest the B.C. government has targeted for deferral has been approved for logging, is pending approval and in some cases has already been logged.