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Self-determination & Free, Prior and Informed Consent

Understanding the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

February 1, 2021

“Indigenous peoples must be part of decision making when our rights and well-being are at stake. Working with us to determine what that looks like is the smart thing to do. It will lead to fewer acrimonious decisions, fewer court battles, more timely decisions, and better outcomes for us all.”

–Chief Wilton Littlechild, addressing United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, 2018

Critical report shows current BC logging practices increase climate disaster risks for BC communities  

Forest conservation, forestry reforms, and Indigenous expertise and knowledge are urgently needed to mitigate climate disaster risks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                       

February 1, 2021

Unceded Coast Salish Territories (VANCOUVER, BC) — A new independent report commissioned by Sierra Club BC looks at the relationship between forest management and severe climate impacts expected across B.C. It shows that governments can mitigate climate related disasters like flooding, droughts, fires and heatwaves by swiftly reforming B.C.’s forestry practices, applying Indigenous knowledge to forest-related decisions, and protecting and restoring intact forests, before the climate crisis worsens.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Coalition of Organizations Call for End to  Vancouver Police Department Trespass Prevention Program

January 28, 2021, (Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C – A coalition of Indigenous, women, Downtown Eastside, and legal organizations are voicing their opposition to the Vancouver Police Department’s Trespass Prevention Program, which authorizes police officers to remove people without a call for 911 service if they have allegedly violated the provincial Trespass Act.

STATEMENT
January 25, 2021

FNLC calls on Provincial Government to take necessary actions to address systemic racism within the Royal BC Museum

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) — The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is disturbed by several recent media reports outlining ongoing systemic racism and toxic working conditions within the Royal BC Museum (RBCM), a crown corporation established under the Museum Act (2003).

Statement   
January 22, 2021

FNLC Calls for Discovery Islands Decision to be Upheld

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) denounces the applications of Mowi Canada West Inc, Cermaq Canada Ltd and Grieg Seafood BC Ltd to overturn the Discovery Islands Decision. The decision rules:

Call for expression of interest

Applications are being sought from persons interested in participating as a member of the FIRST NATIONS CLIMATE ACTION TECHINICAL ADVISORY GROUP to support the development of the BC First Nations Climate Change Strategy and Action plan.

BC First Nations Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan

Community Engagement Sessions

Climate Change threatens the security and way of life of Indigenous Peoples across Canada.

News Release 
January 19, 2021

Treatment Over Detention: Immediate Changes Required Regarding  the Use of Involuntary Detentions for Youth under the Mental Health Act

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is shocked and disturbed by the findings released by the Representative for Children and Youth (RCY) this morning in her most recent report “Detained: Rights of children and youth under the Mental Health Act,” and is calling upon the provincial government to take immediate urgent action to ensure a comprehensive, community-based, and culturally safe system of care and legislative regime for children and youth requiring mental health services.