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STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 14, 2022

Federal Government unjustifiably withholds scientific report for 10 years

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, BC)  - The First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance (“FNWSA”) is deeply troubled with the revelations set out in an article featured on the front page of today’s Globe and Mail which identifies that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (“DFO”), under the Harper administration, withheld critical science related to the existence of a highly transmissible PRV virus among open-net fish farms for over 10 years. The article also raises the issue that Dr. Kristi Miller-Saunders, a senior research scientist at the DFO, was unable to disclose the results of her study which gave rise to the final report in question. 

News Release

April 8, 2022

Independent Review of the VPD’s Arrest of Maxwell Johnson and Granddaughter Confirms the Reckless, Oppressive, and “Blameworthy” Conduct of Arresting Officers

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – April 8, 2022) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) welcomes and supports the findings of the independent review of the 2019 arrest of Maxwell Johnson and his granddaughter, both members of the Heiltsuk First Nation, at a Bank of Montreal branch by Vancouver police. The review concluded that the officers arrested and handcuffed the pair “without reasonable and probable grounds.” Furthermore, former Justice Brian Neal who conducted the review wrote that the arrests “demonstrated serious, blameworthy conduct contrary to section 77 of the Police Act.”

Statement
April 5, 2022

FNLC Statement on New Report Highlighting Ongoing Income Gaps and Barriers for Indigenous People in BC

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.: The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) welcomes the stark findings of the report Income Supports and Indigenous Peoples in B.C.: An Analysis of Gaps and Barriers and calls on the BC Government to take action on its recommendations and the irrefutable evidence presented on the ongoing structures and systems which are trapping Indigenous people in a disproportionate cycle of poverty in this province.

MEDIA ADVISORY OF PRESS CONFERENCE: FIRST NATIONS LEADERS SUPPORT CANADA’S COMMITMENT TO TRANSITION FROM OPEN NET CAGE FISH FARMS

What: The First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance (FNWSA) will host representatives from 102 First Nations and organizations from across BC speaking to the upcoming Licensing decision of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans concerning Fish Farm Licenses & the overall state of BC Wild Salmon runs. 

News Release
April 1, 2022

Tangible Commitments Must Accompany Pope’s Decades Late Apology for Residential Schools

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – April 1, 2022) Earlier today and following a week of meetings in the Vatican with Indigenous delegates who had traveled from Canada, Pope Francis offered words of apology and regret for the actions of some of the members of the Catholic Church who played a role in the operation of residential schools in Canada between the 1880s and 1996.  More than 150,000 Indigenous children were stolen from their families and communities and forced to attend residential schools where physical, sexual and emotional abuse was rampant.

News Release
March 21, 2022

UBCIC Demands Elimination of Racial Discrimination

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – March 21, 2022) Today the world observes the International Day of Eliminating Racial Discrimination, which commemorates the brave efforts of those fighting for peace, equality, and freedom and honours the 69 people that were shot and killed peacefully protesting apartheid “pass laws” in Sharpeville South Africa in 1960. The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) honours their legacy of hope and empowerment and continues the work to dismantle the barriers facing Indigenous peoples and other racialized and marginalized communities across Canada and around the globe.

News Release 
March 17, 2022

FNLC Applauds Increased Age for Supports to Youth from Government Care

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) applauds the announcement by the Ministry for Child Development (MCFD) Minister, Mitzi Dean, that youth raised in government care will now be able to access much needed housing, mental health, educational and financial support up until the age of 27, with a commitment of $35 million over the next three years to support this population.