Latest News

Kukpi7 Judy Wilson Statement: Their Spirit Lives Within Us.

My name is Kukpi7 Judy Wilson and I am proud to serve as Chief of Neskonlith Indian Band and Secretary Treasurer for the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. I would first like to start by expressing my deepest regrets for being unable to attend the 31st Annual February 14 Women’s Memorial March in person. My heart and spirit are with you, and I acknowledge the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to introduce new and unforeseen distances and challenges we have had to bridge and overcome. However, in a time of social distancing and masks I believe that we are even more connected here today. We are all united by the deep gratitude, respect, and love we are paying to every survivor, ever family member, every single person touched by the crisis that has stolen the lives of our women, girls, two-spirit and trans people, but never our resilience and strength.

February 10, 2022

The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister of Canada
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Via Email: [email protected]

URGENT OPEN LETTER: Call for Immediate Action to End Dangerous Freedom Convoy

Dear Prime Minister Trudeau:

The so-called ‘Freedom Convoy’ is dangerously transitioning from an occupation of Parliament to an escalating national insurrection.

News Release        
February 8, 2022

First Nations Leadership Council Strongly Condemns “Freedom Convoy” Movement Across Canada and its Spread of Misinformation, Racism, and Violence

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The so-called “Freedom Convoy” is legitimizing false opinions and misinformation regarding COVID-19 that put the health of all Canadians in danger and is rapidly fueling hatred and anger. The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is calling on leaders and citizens to stop supporting those dangerous messages and take action.

Statement
January 31, 2022

UBCIC, FAFIA, and Dr. Palmater Release Comments on Draft  General Recommendation No. 39 on the Rights of Indigenous Women and Girls

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – January 31, 2022) Today the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA) and Dr. Pamela Palmater released joint comments on the draft General Recommendation No. 39 on the Rights of Indigenous Women and Girls to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The development of this new General Recommendation is an important new initiative which will strengthen the recognition and realization of the rights of Indigenous women and Girls, and UBCIC, FAFIA and Dr. Palmater welcome this ground-breaking step by CEDAW.

News Release 
January 27, 2022

NEW REPORT RECOMMENDS FIRST NATIONS IN BC TAKE IMMEDIATE CONTROL OF MINING IN THEIR TERRITORIES

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) First Nations in BC are proactively working towards re-establishing sovereignty over their territories in British Columbia, by introducing and exercising their own law-making authority to regulate and monitor mining on their own lands.

News Release 
January 25, 2022

First Nations Leadership Council Stands with Williams Lake First Nation During Search for Unmarked Graves

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.)– The First Nations Leadership Council is calling for support for the Williams Lake First Nation as it releases the results of the search for unmarked graves on the grounds of the Saint Joseph’s Mission. Saint Joseph’s Mission operated a residential school from 1886-1981. There have already been a number of confirmed deaths of children there, as well as many cases of abuse by the school’s staff that have resulted in criminal charges.

News Release
January 20, 2022

UBCIC Celebrates Halting of Mining Threat in Skagit Headwaters

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – Jan 20, 2022) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) commends the tremendous dedication and work of an international coalition of U.S. and Canadian First Nations, Tribes, and stakeholders who united to oppose Imperial Metals’ proposal to pursue a mining permit in the headwaters of the Skagit River. Thanks to the collective efforts of this coalition and the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission (SEEC), the SEEC, Imperial Metals and the Government of British Columbia announced a signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on January 19, 2022, that specifies the return of all mining and related rights in the Silverdaisy area of the Canadian Skagit Headwaters held by Imperial Metals back to the Province of British Columbia.  

News Release
January 14, 2022

UBCIC Applauds BCCLA’s Win in Landmark Court Case Against RCMP Commissioner and Court’s Decision to Uphold Police Accountability

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – January 14, 2022) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) congratulates the BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) on winning their precedent-setting lawsuit, which resulted in the Federal Court of Canada’s decision that RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki violated her statutory obligations by failing to respond to investigations into claims of Mountie misconduct. This case marks the first time the court has ruled RCMP must be held accountable for providing a timely answer to complaints filed with the force’s civilian watchdog agency, the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC).