Latest News

News Release 
January 30, 2024

FNLC Stands with shíshálh Nation and Denounces Inflammatory and Disrespectful Acts and Rhetoric Related to the shíshálh swiya Dock Management Plan

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is deeply alarmed about recent posts circulating on social media showing a confrontational sign affixed to a shíshálh Nation (shíshálh) longhouse that includes untrue and misleading statements about the shíshálh swiya Dock Management Plan (DMP), and inflammatory and disrespectful comments about shíshálh and shíshálh people. The FNLC categorically denounces all of this abhorrent behaviour in the strongest terms and reaffirms its support for shíshálh and all shíshálh people as they undertake the important work of protecting and preserving shíshálh swiya in partnership with the Province.

News Release   

January 19, 2024

FNLC Denounces BC Métis Federation’s Coastal Water Protectors’ Conference and Related TMX Project Accommodation  

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is alarmed that the BC Métis Federation’s (BCMF) Coastal Water Protectors are holding a Coastal Conference on January 20^th in North Vancouver. The conference purports to be “…a gathering dedicated to the protection and preservation of our invaluable aquatic ecosystems.” 

December 11, 2023

FNLC Calls for Preservation of Evidence in the Pickton Case and for Victim, Survivor and Family Rights to be Upheld

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.)

 The First Nations Leadership Council is deeply disturbed that the RCMP recently applied to dispose of approximately 14,000 exhibits related to the Pickton case, and are calling for the preservation of evidence collected from the Pickton farm and Pickton-related properties and associates. Further, we are calling for the RCMP to implement a rights-based, trauma-informed, culturally-safe and an Indigenous gender-based analysis plus approach to center the rights of victims, survivors and families.

News Release

December 7, 2023

FNLC Supports BC’s Release of Distinctions-Based Approach Primer and Clarification of BC’s Position on Métis Rights

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) supports the Province of British Columbia’s (BC) release of its long-overdue Distinctions-Based Approach Primer (Primer) and applauds BC for clarifying its position on Métis rights in what is now known as British Columbia. As noted in the Primer, a distinctions-based approach, and appropriate respect for Indigenous laws and jurisdictions, means that the scope of rights enjoyed by an Indigenous People is contextual and that BC’s relations and dealings with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit must be conducted in a manner that is appropriate for the specific context, recognizing and respecting the distinct and different histories, rights, laws, legal systems, and systems of governance of each.

Statement

December 1, 2023

UBCIC Remembers Nicomen Leader Donna Aljam

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – December 1, 2023) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) joins the Nicomen Indian Band and Aljam family in mourning the passing of their matriarch and leader, Donna Aljam who will be remembered for her courage, advocacy and deep commitment to advancing Nicomen title and rights, and the title and rights of all First Nations.

Hon. Mike Farnworth, M.L.A.
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General

Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, M.P.
Minister of Public Safety of Canada

Chairperson Michelaine Lahaie
Civilian Review and Complaints Commission

Dwayne McDonald
Deputy Commissioner of the RCMP

Open Letter: Condemnation of RCMP’s Efforts to Stall the CRCC Review into C-IRG and Continued Call to Abolish the C-IRG

Minister Farnworth, Minister LeBlanc, Commissioner Lahaie and Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald:

We are writing to voice our serious concerns regarding the significant delays caused by the RCMP in a Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) investigation into the Community-Industry Response Group (C-IRG). The CRCC has received minimal information from the RCMP’s E Division, severely impacting CRCC’s ability to conclude the investigation and release findings.

 FNLC and Our Children Our Way Society acknowledge National Child Day
– a day to celebrate and uphold the rights of all children! 

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) – On November 20^th, the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) and the Indigenous Child & Family Services Directors Our Children Our Way Society (OCOW) acknowledge National Child Day – a day to celebrate and uphold the rights of all children!  National Child Day is celebrated annually on November 20^th, marking the anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. Canada signed onto this Convention in 1991. On this same day, we also stand with UNICEF to acknowledge and celebrate World Children’s Day – an annual day of action for children, by children.