Latest News

News Release
May 5, 2021

Unbroken and Unsilenced: UBCIC Demands Overdue Justice on National Day of Awareness for MMIWG

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – May 5, 2021) Year after year, loss after loss, Indigenous women and girls have had to face a persisting, haunting reality: in the face of government inaction and delays, they continue to be casualties in an ongoing humanitarian crisis that is fueled by violence, discrimination, and apathy. The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) marks this National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls with renewed calls to action to ensure that the painful reality Indigenous women and girls face can be replaced with one that fosters justice and healing.

News Release
May 3, 2021

FNLC Remembers Thomas Berger and Honours his Legacy as a Prominent Indigenous Title and Rights Advocate

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) remembers and honours prominent civil and Indigenous rights advocate Thomas Berger. The former B.C. Supreme Court judge, politician, and lawyer devoted his life’s work to addressing injustice. Berger’s landmark achievements transformed Canadian law and Aboriginal rights and title, paving the way for several legal victories for First Nations within and beyond his lifetime.

News Release
April 27, 2021

UBCIC Congratulates Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and All Recipients of the 2021 BC Reconciliation Award

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – April 27, 2021) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) warmly congratulates UBCIC President Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and the eight other recipients of the inaugural British Columbia Reconciliation Award for their extraordinary leadership, courage, wisdom, and dedication in advancing reconciliation for Indigenous people in British Columbia.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Civil Liberties, Indigenous Rights, and Community Groups Respond to BC Travel Restrictions Order

VANCOUVER/ (Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) territories, April 23, 2021 – Civil Liberties, Indigenous and Community organizations are responding to the Travel Restrictions (COVID-19) Order announced by the BC Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth. The order made under BC’s Emergency Programs Act is already in effect and will be until May 25, however enforcement details have not been released. The order enables police and other enforcement officers to issue violation tickets in the amount of $575 to any person travelling into or out of health regions except for an essential purpose.

News Release
April 23, 2021

PANDEMIC-FOCUSED PROVINCIAL BUDGET MISSES THE MARK ON CRITICAL FIRST NATIONS ITEMS

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.)  The provincial government tabled its 2021 Budget on April 20th, under the title, “A Stronger BC, For Everyone,” with key investments addressing the immediate and long-term impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Some historic investments are planned, including a new Strategic Investment Fund, InBC, $500 million in funding towards mental health and addictions services, targeted investments to address the ongoing opioid crisis, and $45 million to respond to the recommendations of the In Plain Sight report on systemic anti-Indigenous racism in the healthcare system.

Statement
April 22, 2021

The World is on Fire: UBCIC Calls for Strong Environmental Protections on Earth Day

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – April 22, 2021) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) calls on all people to commit to protecting Mother Earth and address climate change, today and every day. Further, we demand that provincial and federal governments take serious climate action including no further expansion of fossil fuel pipelines including the Trans Mountain expansion and Enbridge Line 3, and that both governments commit to meeting international climate targets.

News Release
April 21, 2021

First Nations Leadership Council Sees Federal Budget as Step Forward

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is pleased to see the federal government pledge more than $18 billion towards closing gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and advancing reconciliation over the next five years. While we are still waiting to see the allocation of funds specifically for First Nations, this figure is a significant increase from the previous federal budget. The FNLC notes that this Liberal minority budget requires support from at least one major party, and otherwise will become a campaign platform.

News Release
April 20, 2020

First Nations Leadership Council congratulates five Nuu-chah-nulth Nations for victorious BC Court of Appeal decision

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, BC) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) are applauding five Nuu-chah-nulth Nations (the Ehattesaht, Hesquiaht, Mowachaht/Muchalaht, Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht) for their efforts leading to the April 19th BC Court of Appeal (BCCA) decision (Ahousaht v Canada, 2021 BCCA 155).