Latest News

Press Release:  BC First Nations highlight human rights concerns to United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, seeking resolution through UN mechanisms. 

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)  Territory/Vancouver, B.C. (March 10, 2023) This week, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (SRRIP), Francisco Calí Tzay met with various First Nations and Indigenous organisations in BC, including representatives of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, the Office of The Wet’suwet’en, former Chief of Neskonlith Indian Band, Judy Wilson, and the First Nations Leadership Council. The mandate of the Special Rapporteur includes reporting on the human rights of Indigenous Peoples worldwide and addressing specific alleged cases of violations of Indigenous rights. Special Rapporteur Calí Tzay is on a ten day visit to Canada to hear from Indigenous peoples on a range of issues including how the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (“UNDRIP”) is being implemented in Canada. 

Media Statement: Racism against Indigenous Cultural Leader by Hyatt  Regency Vancouver Staff Prompts Call for Action

March 10, 2023

The BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) and First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) are calling for swift action following the racist and disturbing mistreatment of a First Nations man who is a beloved Cultural Advisor and staff member of the BCAAFC by the Hyatt Regency Vancouver. We call on the Hyatt Regency to uphold the safety of Indigenous peoples, to provide mandatory anti-racism training for all staff, to demonstrate accountability for the harm they have caused, and to offer a public apology.  

News Release 
March 6, 2023

FNLC Demands Change to DFO’s Science Review and Decision-Making Processes

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is deeply disturbed by recently released information regarding Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) scientific review and decision-making processes which alleges that scientific reports are purposely altered to support presupposed conclusions and prioritize the interests of industry and continuation of the status quo over and above the sustainability and protection of marine life and respect for First Nations inherent title and rights. The FNLC calls for an independent, external investigation and an overhaul of these processes to restore the credibility of DFO to carry out reviews and decision-making consistent with its mandate of sustainably managing marine resources, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and explicit direction from Prime Minister Trudeau.

Press Release
March 6, 2023

The FNLC Applauds BC's Initial $100 Million Investment in a Watershed Security Fund

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱w.7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) applauds BC's initial investment of $100 million towards creating a Watershed Security Fund and its commitment to co-developing the Fund with First Nations through Budget 2023.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2023

BCGEU and UBCIC Announce Partnership to Push Corporate Canada to Operationalize FPIC

The labour union and Indigenous political organization joined forces with the aim of combining their respective expertise to push financial institutions to operationalize FPIC

Vancouver, BC, Musqueam Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Territories - The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) have partnered to engage Canada’s largest public companies on the operationalization of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) when it comes to business decisions that impact the rights of Indigenous peoples. FPIC is an essential principle of international human rights law that recognizes Indigenous peoples' right to make decisions about their lands and territories.

News Release

February 23, 2023

UBCIC Honours Melanie Mark and Calls on BC to Address ‘Torture Chamber’ Conditions in Government

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – February 23, 2023) The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is honoured to support Hli Haykwhl Ẃii Xsgaak, Melanie Mark, and calls on Premier Eby and the provincial government to investigate the disgraceful and disgusting racist and sexist harassment she faced while in the B.C. legislature.

RE: Allegations that RCMP in Prince George Abused Indigenous Women and Girls

Dear Premier Eby, Minister Farnworth, Minister Mendicino, and Minister Lametti,

The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) and BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) are appalled and deeply disturbed that there are serious allegations of egregious and violent sexual abuse of Indigenous girls against RCMP officers in Prince George, BC, and that when these allegations were originally made in 2011 they were not investigated, but instead were covered up by authorities. This situation demonstrates failures on countless levels and complete negligence by the RCMP. As families of MMIWG2S+ and survivors marked the February 14th Downtown Eastside Women’s Memorial March and gathered for the Assembly of First Nations National Gathering on MMIWG2S+ in BC last week, it remains clear that the Crown’s lack of response and prioritization of issues of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people continues to cost lives and leave countless others forever impacted.

Statement
February 21, 2023

 UBCIC Stands with c̓išaaʔatḥ (Tseshaht First Nation) amidst Ceremony Marking Phase I Results of ʔuuʔatumin yaqckʷiimitqin (Doing It for Our Ancestors) Project into the Former Alberni Indian Residential School

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – February 21, 2023). The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) raise our hands to c̓išaaʔatḥ (Tseshaht First Nation) and commend the Nation’s powerful event at the Maht Mahs Centre, rooted firmly in culture, ceremony, and survivor stories. The phase I results of the ʔuuʔatumin yaqckʷiimitqin (Doing It for Our Ancestors) project into the former Alberni Indian Residential School (AIRS) have confirmed horrific survivor-accounts of violence and abuse, including the verified deaths of 67 students, plus 17 geophysical features representing suspected graves from ground investigations.