Latest News

Statement
November 10, 2021

UBCIC Celebrates BC Government’s Decision to Phase Out Mink-Farming Industry 

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – November 10, 2021) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) welcomes the recent announcement from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries that due to public health concerns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is set to permanently ban mink farming in the province through a phased approach that will allow mink farmers to transition to other agriculture industries. 

Statement
November 8, 2021

UBCIC Commemorates National Aboriginal Veterans Day

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – November 8, 2021) Today, on National Aboriginal Veterans Day, UBCIC remembers and honours the contributions of all Indigenous veterans in war and peacekeeping operations. We express our deepest gratitude for the generations of courageous First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples who have supported Canada’s military efforts with dedication and valour for over 200 years.

News Release 

November 4, 2021

BC’s Hot Potato Handling of Old Growth Stonewalls Indigenous Decision-Making and Lacks Fulsome Supports for First Nations

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – November 4, 2021) Earlier this week, Forests Minister Katrine Conroy announced the province’s identification of 2.6 million hectares of old-growth forest in B.C. that could potentially be deferred if First Nations agree, as recommended by the technical advisory panel formed in June. While deferrals are a step in the right direction to protect BC’s big treed, ancient, and rare old growth, the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is extremely concerned that old growth remains unprotected today, and that the Province has passed responsibility to First Nations without providing financial support for Nations to replace any revenues that might be lost if they choose to defer logging old growth in their territory.

Statement 

November 2, 2021

First Nations Leadership Council Honours Gitanmaax’ Successful Assertion of Inherent Jurisdiction over their Children

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) stands in full support and solidarity with the Gitanmaax in their assertion of inherent jurisdiction over the care and wellbeing of one of their children and is relieved that the court has also agreed this child should remain in the care and custody of her family and her Nation at this time.

News Release

November 2, 2021

 UBCIC Joins Indigenous Peoples Demanding Climate Action at COP26

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – November 2, 2021) Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, Secretary-Treasurer of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) and Chief of Neskonlith, is attending the 26^th Conference of Parties in Glasgow; the climate summit has been widely considered to be humanity’s “last chance” for international coordination on limiting the heating of earth’s climate to fewer than 1.5 degrees Celsius and maintaining a livable planet.

Statement

November 2, 2021

UBCIC Remembers the Incomparable Lillian Howard for her Strength, Kindness, and Lifetime of Advancing Indigenous Causes

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – November 2, 2021) It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) marks the passing of Lillian Rose Howard, a beautiful and courageous friend, leader, warrior, and community member from the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Nation, who at one time worked for the UBCIC with Grand Chief George Manuel. As an admired community leader and advocate for Indigenous, social, and environmental causes, Lillian dedicated her life to cherishing and protecting the lives of Indigenous peoples, particularly Indigenous women and girls. UBCIC mourns the loss of Lillian, who leaves behind an incomparable legacy of hope and inspiration for those fighting to end systemic discrimination, and who was the pillar of her community – an endless source of wisdom, strength, and kindness. We offer our deepest condolences to her beloved family, friends, and community members.

News Release
October 29, 2021

FNLC Disgusted as Canadian Government Continues to Deny Fighting First Nations Children in Court while Filing an Appeal that States Otherwise

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is disgusted, yet not surprised, to learn of Canada’s decision today to appeal the Federal Court ruling of Justice Favel that upheld the rulings of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) to compensate First Nations children, and their families, for the “willful and reckless” discrimination that incentivized the forced removal of thousands of First Nations children from their families and underfunded child and family services in First Nations communities.

News Release
October 28, 2021

UBCIC Calls for Phasing Out of Fur Farming in B.C. Amid Continued Public Health and Animal Welfare Concerns 

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – October 28, 2021) In solidarity with the many organizations and members of the public who oppose the unsustainable and inhumane mass breeding and farming of wildlife species for fur, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs continues to call upon the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries to advance the full phasing out of the fur farming industry in B.C., giving full consideration to the many pressing COVID-19 related health risks and ethical concerns.