Declaration Act is Not a Threat to Private Property: Clarifying False Linkages in the Media
News Release
February 5, 2026
Declaration Act is Not a Threat to Private Property: Clarifying False Linkages in the Media
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is deeply concerned about the confusion that has been created by recent media reporting and public commentary that incorrectly link the B.C. Supreme Court’s findings on Aboriginal title in the Cowichan Tribes decision with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act).
Read moreFederal Court of Appeal Upholds Discovery Islands Fish Farm Decision: A Victory for Wild Salmon, Indigenous Rights, and the Precautionary Principle
News Release
January 30, 2026
Federal Court of Appeal Upholds Discovery Islands Fish Farm Decision: A Victory for Wild Salmon, Indigenous Rights, and the Precautionary Principle
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – January 30, 2026) The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) welcomes the decision of the Federal Court of Appeal to dismiss the appeal brought by Mowi Canada West Inc. and other salmon farming companies challenging the federal Minister of Fisheries’ decision to decline renewal of aquaculture licenses in the Discovery Islands.
Read moreFNLC Congratulates Tahltan Central Government, Tahltan Nation, and the Province on Eskay Mine Decision, Emphasizes Importance of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
News Release
January 29, 2026
FNLC Congratulates Tahltan Central Government, Tahltan Nation, and the Province on Eskay Mine Decision, Emphasizes Importance of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) congratulates the Tahltan Central Government (TCG), the Tahltan Nation, and the Province on making regulatory decisions on the reopening of the Eskay Creek gold-silver mine through the first-ever consent-based agreement under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act).
Read moreFNLC Condemns Recreational Fishing Lobby’s Racist Campaign Against First Nations and their Fishing Rights
NEWS RELEASE
January 28, 2026
FNLC Condemns Recreational Fishing Lobby’s Racist Campaign Against First Nations and their Fishing Rights
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) Recreational participants in the Salmon Allocation Policy (SAP) review process have cultivated a dangerous and offensive online campaign through social media, websites and forums that spreads misinformation about First Nations’ positions in the review process and what it may mean for non-Indigenous Canadians.
Read moreOPEN LETTER: Indian Residential School Denialism Event at UBC
January 26, 2026
Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon
President
University of British Columbia
OPEN LETTER: Indian Residential School Denialism Event at UBC
Dear President Bacon,
We are writing to express our concern and disappointment that, to our knowledge, the University of British Columbia (UBC) did not prohibit a Residential School denialism event which disrespectfully took place outside the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre on January 22, 2026.
Read moreJoint Statement: B.C.’s Declaration Act Provides a Backstop of Certainty in a World of Chaos
More than 100 First Nations Leaders Object to Amendments to the Declaration Act; Call for Province to Work Together with First Nations to Advance Reconciliation
A steadily growing list of more than 100 First Nations and First Nations organizations say amendments to the Declaration Act will undermine certainty and increase conflict and litigation if First Nations are forced to defend their rights.
February 9, 2026
Joint Statement: B.C.’s Declaration Act Provides a Backstop of Certainty in a World of Chaos
Calls to amend the Declaration Act or appeal recent court decisions would undermine economic certainty, reconciliation, and shared prosperity in British Columbia.
At a time of global instability and uncertainty, people are understandably looking for clarity, certainty, and leadership grounded in shared values. Difficult moments can bring out the best in us—or they can provoke fear-based reactions that risk undoing hard-won progress. Recent trends in British Columbia are cause for concern.
Read moreUBCIC Deeply Disappointed with B.C.’s Decision to End Decriminalization Pilot and Calls for Return to a Public Health Approach
News Release
January 15, 2026
UBCIC Deeply Disappointed with B.C.’s Decision to End Decriminalization Pilot and Calls for Return to a Public Health Approach
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – January 15, 2026) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is extremely concerned with the Province of British Columbia’s (B.C.) decision to end its three-year drug decriminalization pilot project, allowing the federal exemption to expire on January 31, 2026.
Read moreUBCIC and BCAFN Urge House of Commons to Pass Bill S-2 and Eliminate 2nd Generation Cut Off
News Release
December 10, 2025
UBCIC and BCAFN Urge House of Commons to Pass Bill S-2 and Eliminate 2nd Generation Cut Off
(Lheidli T'enneh Territory/Prince George and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) – The B.C. Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) and Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) call upon all Members of Parliament to stand with First Nations title and rights holders to pass Bill S-2 “An Act to Amend the Indian Act” (new registration amendments) with amendments to eliminate the second-generation cut-off (s. 6(2) Indian Status) without delay and to implement a one-parent rule.
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