Latest News

News Release
October 25, 2021

UBCIC Calls on BC to End the LNG-Fracking Industry in Response to Climate Emergency

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – October 25, 2021) With less than two weeks before the COP26 UN climate conference in Scotland, the dark shadow of Canada and BC’s climate record looms large – Canada has had the highest emission growth of the G7 countries since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2016, and BC’s aspirations to expand Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and fracking operations continue to thwart efforts to meet or exceed the province’s outdated legislated  emissions targets. With the climate crisis disproportionately endangering the lives and cultures of Indigenous peoples, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is urgently calling upon the provincial government to stop investing in LNG and fracking expansion, and to implement crucial measures that will support the just transition to a clean-energy economy.

Statement
October 20, 2021

UBCIC Remembers Beloved Kluskus (Lhoosk’uz) Leader and Trailblazer Chief Roger Jimmie

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – October 20, 2021) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Chief Roger Jimmie. A former leader of the Kluskus First Nation, UBCIC mourns not only the loss of an incredibly fearless Warrior in our endless battle to realize a full measure of our Indigenous Title and Rights, but a loving father and grandfather. We offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and community members and we remember Chief Roger Jimmie’s incredibly rich and full life.

October 13, 2021

The Honourable John Horgan
Premier of British Columbia
Via email only: [email protected]

The Honourable George Heyman
BC Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Via email only: [email protected]

Open Letter: Overhaul of CleanBC to reflect climate emergency

Dear Premier Horgan and Minister Heyman:

The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC), comprised of the political executives of the BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN), First Nations Summit (FNS), and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), writes to express our deep concern with the direction that the Province is heading with respect to our climate commitments, and the need for urgent action that reflects the climate emergency.

News Release 
October 7, 2021  

Boost Vaccination Rates, Save Lives: UBCIC Urges First Nations and British Columbians to Get Vaccinated  

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. October 7, 2021) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is issuing an urgent and critical call for First Nations and all British Columbians to get their full COVID-19 vaccinations immediately. Lagging vaccination rates and unvaccinated individuals are continuing to cause COVID-19 infection and hospitalizations rates to climb, placing enormous, preventable stress upon hospitals and health-care resources, and threatening the lives of those who are unable to be vaccinated, including children under 12.

News Release

October 4, 2021

Vigil for MMIWG2S: Holding Space on National Day of Action to Empower and Support Families Seeking Justice

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – October 4, 2021) To mark the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited people (MMIWG2S), the Indigenous Women’s Council will be holding a safe, socially distanced vigil on October 4, 2021, at Vancouver City Hall. The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is honored to support the vigil, which will provide healing space for Indigenous women, girls, two-spirited individuals, and allies to come together in solidarity and strengthen their unwavering resolve to hold Canada accountable for the epidemic of violence founded in centuries of cultural genocide and institutionalized racism. UBCIC is proud to have Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, UBCIC Secretary-Treasurer, speaking and supporting family members at the vigil, and UBCIC continues to be thankful for the immense work and resilience of all participants and organizers of the event.

Statement
September 30, 2021

National Day of Truth and Reconciliation is a Call to Action: More Education on Residential Schools and More Supports Needed for Survivors and Indigenous Communities

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – September 30, 2021) Today the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) observes the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. UBCIC commemorates the fearless leadership and tireless efforts by Indian residential school Survivors and First Nations like Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS) who continue to seek justice, truth, and accountability for the missing and unidentified Indigenous children who never made it home. On this first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, UBCIC encourages British Columbians and Canadians to reflect on the truth of the Survivors’ experiences, and to acknowledge that this was a genocide, involving the forced removal of children from our families and Nations, placing more than 150,000 children in those institutions to try to “take the Indian out of the child.” Today is not only a day of remembering the truth and honouring the experiences of Survivors, but a time to be steadfast in our values that every child matters.

News Release
September 29, 2021

HUGE WIN FOR FIRST NATIONS KIDS! FEDERAL COURT DISMISSES CANADA’S APPEALS

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.)

The First Nations Leadership Council welcomes the decision of the Federal Court today that resoundingly dismissed Canada’s appeals of two of the orders from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) in the case Canada (Attorney General) v. First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada. Canada sought to challenge the findings of discrimination against First Nations children and families under federal policies that caused children to be removed and underfunded services to First Nations communities. The case stems back to 2006 when the human rights violations against First Nations children, families and communities was taken to the Human Rights Commission.

Statement
September 29, 2021

UBCIC Marks the Passing of Beloved Kwagu’ł Chief and Elder Rupert Wilson Sr.

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – September 29, 2021) It was not so long ago when Chief Rupert Wilson Sr. stood before representatives of the BC Government and stated, matter of fact, “You are killing us with words” while “you rob us of our resources.” In remembering his profound statements, and understanding how they continue to resonate today, it is with deep sadness that the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) marks the passing of Wawaxalagilaxw, Chief and Elder Rupert Wilson Sr. of the Kwakiutl (Kwagu’ł) First Nation.