Latest News

NEWS RELEASE

July 12, 2019

Fraser River Salmon State of Emergency: 
BC First Nations urge swift action to save Fraser River salmon runs at risk due to Big Bar rockslide 

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver) BC First Nations are expressing grave concern over the possibility of significant losses to critical salmon runs on the Fraser River which are at risk due to the Big Bar rockslide that occurred in late June, and are calling on provincial and federal governments to take immediate action and prioritize saving the jeopardized salmon

July 4, 2019

Dear Mr. Matiation,

The BC Specific Claims Working Group (BCSCWG) writes today to present its follow-up report Canada’s Conduct at the Specific Claims Tribunal and the Need for Reform which analyzes First Nations’ feedback on Canada’s behaviour at the Tribunal and argues that the challenges with Canada’s conduct at this body are a result of institutionalized and systemic bias that exists across specific claims processes as a whole.

July 4, 2019

Assembly of First Nations

OPEN LETTER: Capacity and Accessibility at the 2019 AFN AGA

Dear National Chief Bellegarde and Executive Committee,

The upcoming AFN’s Annual General Assembly (AGA) in the Fredericton, New Brunswick on July 23-25 presents an invaluable opportunity for discussion, dialogue, and strategic planning that the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is looking forward to participating in.

NEWS RELEASE

June 21, 2019

FNLC Celebrates the Passing of Bill C-91, An Act Respecting Indigenous Languages

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver – June 28, 2018) Today, Canada’s Governor General provided Bill C-91, An Act Respecting Indigenous Languages royal assent, thus passing the bill into Canadian Law.

Media Statement   

June 20, 2019

Death of Bill C-262 a clear step backwards for reconciliation

Coast Salish Traditional Territory/Vancouver:  The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) consisting of the executive members of the BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN), First Nations Summit (FNS) and Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is deeply disappointed with the apparent death of Bill C-262, An Act to ensure that the laws of Canada are in harmony with the United Nations Declaration (the UN Declaration) on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 

News Release 

For Immediate Release
June 20^th, 2019

FNLC DEMANDS FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE IN MCFD TREATMENT OF FIRST NATIONS CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Coast Salish Traditional Territory/Vancouver: The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is disturbed by the findings in an Auditor General report released today, which found that the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) has failed to protect the lives and the rights of First Nations children and youth in their care.

News Release
June 19, 2019                                                                               

UBCIC Welcomes Chief Don Tom as the New UBCIC Vice-President

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, B.C. – June 19, 2019) On June 17, 2019, the UBCIC Chiefs Council elected Chief Don Tom, Tsartlip First Nation, as Vice-President of the UBCIC.

News Release
June 18, 2019

Canada Approves TMX Despite Failing to Achieve Consent: Declaration of Climate Emergency Rings Hollow

(Traditional and unceded territories of the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)- June 18, 2019) - In spite of today’s federal cabinet approval of the controversial project, Indigenous leaders from across BC remain staunchly opposed to the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion (TMX) and have vowed that it will never get built.  The federal government was forced to redo consultation with First Nations after a unanimous Federal Court of Appeal quashed a 2016 approval “falling well below the mark” on meaningful consultation set by the Supreme Court of Canada.