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Media Statement
February 21, 2020

UBCIC Supports Indigenous Land Defense and  Acknowledges CPR Joining Call for Trudeau to meet Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Leadership

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – February 21, 2020) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) recognizes the Canadian Pacific Railway’s (CPR) honourable conduct in relation to Secwepemcul’ecw Land Defenders who occupied part of the railway yesterday. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC President, stated “CPR chose direct and respectful engagement with Secwepemcul’ecw Land Defenders instead of calling for an injunction that would have resulted in arrests.  In a letter released today, CPR supported the Wet’suwet’en in their request for dialogue with Prime Minister Trudeau and called upon Trudeau to immediately fulfill this request. We hope Trudeau listens to this call and responds accordingly instead of repeatedly calling for ‘the barricades to come down’ when he knows full well that this could incite violence.”

February 19, 2020

MEDIA ADVISORY OF PRESS CONFERENCE: Wet’suwet’en, BCCLA and UBCIC Release CRCC Chairperson Response Regarding RCMP Exclusion Zone

WHAT: Citing significant public interest in the matter, the Chairperson of the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) for the RCMP, Michelaine Lahaie, has issued a response to Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs, Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and BC Civil Liberties Association’s call for an investigation regarding the improper and unlawful actions of the RCMP in in Wet’suwet’en territory. The hard-hitting response by Michelaine Lahaie will be released to the media and addressed by the speakers.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Civil Liberties and Human Rights Complainants Oppose VPD Street Check Recommendations; Disagree with Key Findings of Street Check Review

February 18, 2020, Vancouver – The BC Civil Liberties Association, Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and Black Lives Matter-Vancouver are highly concerned about the key findings of a Vancouver Police Board Street Check Review. The groups are also opposed to the resulting recommendations going to the Vancouver Police Board meeting this week.

News Release
February 12, 2020

Days after Indigenous Peoples are Forcibly Removed from their Territories, Throne Speech Highlights Reconciliation

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – February 11, 2020) In the dark shadow of the RCMP’s unlawful invasion onto unceded Wet’suwet’en territory and violent enforcement of Coastal GasLink’s injunction, yesterday the NDP government unveiled their throne speech at the BC Legislature to the exuberant sounds of a Wet’suwet’en solidarity rally protesting outside.

February 12, 2020

OPEN LETTER: UBCIC calls on Canada to reject the Teck Frontier oil sands mine

Dear Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Wilkinson:

We are writing to raise our grave concerns regarding Teck Resources Ltd.’s (Teck) proposed oil sands mine that is currently pending approval by the government of Canada. The Teck Frontier project is an open pit oil sands mine that would occupy over 290 square kilometers of old-growth forest, wetlands, and habitat for at-risk species. If approved, it will be constructed a mere 30 km south of Alberta`s Wood Buffalo National Park, extending oil sands development and its attendant environmental effects further north. In addition to the proposed mine`s impacts on Indigenous Title and Rights, and risks to the local and regional environment, it also represents a major set-back for Canada's commitments on emissions reduction.

UPDATED MEDIA ADVISORY OF PRESS CONFERENCE (11:30am) AND RALLY:

Indigenous Youth, Supported by Leadership, to Host Rally outside the BC Legislature on Throne Speech Day Calling for Province to Respect Wet’suwet’en Law and End the Violence

WHAT:                 The RCMP are carrying out a violent raid on unceded Wet’suwet’en territory under Provincial and Federal watch to enforce Coastal GasLink’s injunction. Indigenous youth, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and allies including ENGOs, municipal, provincial and federal representatives will gather in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en Nation.  Speakers will respond to the unlawful escalation of the RCMP and violations of Wet’suwet’en law and Indigenous rights taking place under the orders of the injunction. They will also address the lands and waters at stake, and the responsibilities and roles of the Province.

News Release
February 6, 2020

#AllEyesonWetsuweten: RCMP Violently Remove Wet’suwet’en from their Territories while BC and Canada Stand By

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – February 6, 2020) In the middle of the night, the RCMP began aggressively raiding Wet’suwet’en traditional and unceded territories.  This senseless violence was carried out under the watch of the Provincial and Federal Governments.

News Release
February 4, 2020

Federal Court of Appeal’s Ruling on TMX Brazenly Attacks Indigenous Title and Rights and Threatens Climate

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – February 4, 2020) Today the Federal Court of Appeal overruled the four challenges to the federal government’s re-approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion (TMX). The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is deeply disappointed by the court’s decision in Coldwater Indian Band et al. v. Attorney General of Canada et al. that gives the greenlight to a pipeline project that will contribute to carbon emissions, environmental harm, and violations of Indigenous Title and Rights.