PANDEMIC-FOCUSED PROVINCIAL BUDGET MISSES THE MARK ON CRITICAL FIRST NATIONS ITEMS
News Release
April 23, 2021
PANDEMIC-FOCUSED PROVINCIAL BUDGET MISSES THE MARK ON CRITICAL FIRST NATIONS ITEMS
(Xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The provincial government tabled its 2021 Budget on April 20th, under the title, “A Stronger BC, For Everyone,” with key investments addressing the immediate and long-term impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Some historic investments are planned, including a new Strategic Investment Fund, InBC, $500 million in funding towards mental health and addictions services, targeted investments to address the ongoing opioid crisis, and $45 million to respond to the recommendations of the In Plain Sight report on systemic anti-Indigenous racism in the healthcare system.
Read moreThe World is on Fire: UBCIC Calls for Strong Environmental Protections on Earth Day
Statement
April 22, 2021
The World is on Fire: UBCIC Calls for Strong Environmental Protections on Earth Day
((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – April 22, 2021) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) calls on all people to commit to protecting Mother Earth and address climate change, today and every day. Further, we demand that provincial and federal governments take serious climate action including no further expansion of fossil fuel pipelines including the Trans Mountain expansion and Enbridge Line 3, and that both governments commit to meeting international climate targets.
Read moreFirst Nations Leadership Council Sees Federal Budget as Step Forward
News Release
April 21, 2021
First Nations Leadership Council Sees Federal Budget as Step Forward
(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is pleased to see the federal government pledge more than $18 billion towards closing gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and advancing reconciliation over the next five years. While we are still waiting to see the allocation of funds specifically for First Nations, this figure is a significant increase from the previous federal budget. The FNLC notes that this Liberal minority budget requires support from at least one major party, and otherwise will become a campaign platform.
Read moreFirst Nations Leadership Council congratulates five Nuu-chah-nulth Nations for victorious BC Court of Appeal decision
News Release
April 20, 2020
First Nations Leadership Council congratulates five Nuu-chah-nulth Nations for victorious BC Court of Appeal decision
(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, BC) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) are applauding five Nuu-chah-nulth Nations (the Ehattesaht, Hesquiaht, Mowachaht/Muchalaht, Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht) for their efforts leading to the April 19th BC Court of Appeal (BCCA) decision (Ahousaht v Canada, 2021 BCCA 155).
Read moreOPEN LETTER: Call to Impose a Moratorium on B.C. Industrial Mink Farming to Transition from Fur Farming and to Address COVID-19 Health Risks and Animal Welfare Concerns
Honourable Lana Popham Minister of AgricultureHonourable Adrian Dix Minister of HealthHonorable Katrine Conroy
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OPEN LETTER: Call to Impose a Moratorium on B.C. Industrial Mink Farming to Transition from Fur Farming and to Address COVID-19 Health Risks and Animal Welfare Concerns
Dear Premier and Ministers,
The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) writes to bring your attention to the significant concerns around the BC mink industry and, in solidarity with the many organizations and members of the public who oppose the mass breeding and farming of wildlife species for fur, call upon you to impose an immediate moratorium on industrial mink farming with committed actions to phase out fur farming.
Moratorium on B.C. Industrial Mink Farming: Ending the Farming of Wild Animals for Luxury Products
News Release
April 6, 2021
Moratorium on B.C. Industrial Mink Farming: Ending the Farming of Wild Animals for Luxury Products
((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – April 6, 2021) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) joins the BC SPCA and other advocates calling for a moratorium on mink farming in the province.
Read moreUBCIC Stands with Asian Communities and our Allies Against the Surge in Anti-Asian Hate and Racism
Statement
April 1, 2021
UBCIC Stands with Asian Communities and our Allies Against the Surge in Anti-Asian Hate and Racism
((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – April 1, 2021) Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the treatment of Asian people as racial scapegoats for the pandemic has fueled a global rise and intensification in anti-Asian racism and racially motivated hate crimes. The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) continues to stand with Black, Indigenous, and racialized groups against systemic racism and oppression, and condemns the reprehensible, violent hate crimes targeting and afflicting unimaginable pain, loss, and grief upon Asian communities.
Read moreA Roadblock to Reconciliation: A Call to Dismantle the Barriers that Driver’s Licensing Presents to Indigenous Wellbeing and Safety
News Release
March 24, 2021
A Roadblock to Reconciliation: A Call to Dismantle the Barriers that Driver’s Licensing Presents to Indigenous Wellbeing and Safety
((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – March 24, 2021) First Nations in B.C. and Canada have had to grapple with an indisputable yet overlooked truth for years: an inability to access driver’s licensing fundamentally strengthens the systemic inequality and marginalization experienced by First Nations.
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