Latest News

November 3, 2016 

Dear Chairman Archambault and citizens of the Standing Rock Reservation:

We are writing with respect to UBCIC Resolution 2016-35 “Support for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s Opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline” which was presented, affirmed and endorsed unanimously at the Union of BC Indian Chiefs’ (UBCIC) 48th Annual General Assembly on September 22, 2016.

October 31, 2016, Turtle Island—An International Treaty Alliance of 85 First Nations and Tribes is calling on Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to make a statement condemning the role that Canadian company Enbridge Inc. (headquartered in Calgary, Alberta) has played in the severe violations of the rights of the Indigenous People and their allies at Standing Rock. The Treaty Alliance Against Tar Sand Expansion, which prohibits the passage of proposed Tar Sands pipelines, trains and tankers, was formally launched on September 22, 2016 with the majority of signatories located in Canada, and including U.S. Tribes such as the Standing Rock Sioux.

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver BC – October 14, 2016). Yesterday a tug boat carrying nearly 200,000 litres of diesel crashed in Seaforth Channel, near the Heiltsuk community of Bella Bella.  Leaking fuel continues to threaten the pristine environment in the Great Bear Rainforest.  

(Coast Salish Territory / Vancouver, B.C. – September 26, 2016) On Monday September 26, as part of the Royal Tour Itinerary, the Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia will be hosting the Black Rod Ceremony at Government House. The Honourable Judge Steven Point - Xwĕ lī qwĕl tĕl – will be supporting the ceremony.

September 22, 2016, Montreal/Vancouver—First Nation and Tribal Chiefs gathered today in Musqueam Territory (Vancouver) and Mohawk Territory (Montreal), to sign a new continent-wide Indigenous Treaty — the Treaty Alliance Against Tar Sands Expansion — that commits already some 50 First Nations and Tribes from all over Canada and the Northern US to working together to stop all proposed tar sands pipeline, tanker and rail projects in their respective territorial lands and waters.

URGENT REQUEST FOR SUPPORT

Treaty 8 Territory/Peace River Valley/ British Columbia

Our people, Prophet River and West Moberly First Nations, have been fighting the Site C hydroelectric dam project (“the project”) for close to five decades. The project threatens to flood three of the largest rivers in our territory: Peace, Moberly, and Halfway Rivers. Over 107 kilometers of river valleys and their tributaries could be under water including ancient burial sites.

August 19, 2016

Dear Chiefs Council, sister organizations and friends:

Please find the attached briefing note with key points as presented by UBCIC President Grand Chief Stewart Phillip to the Kinder Morgan TMX Project Ministerial Panel on August 18, 2016.

The Briefing Note is pasted below for your convenience; the attached PDF file contains the appendices.

On behalf of our Union of BC Indian Chiefs, Elders, Women & Youth; members of our Chief's Council; we take this opportunity to express our profound sense of shock, sadness and loss in relation  to the untimely passing of Chief Marjorie McRae.