Latest News

Statement 
December 7, 2020

First Nations Leadership Council Saddened by Sudden Passing of Youth Homelessness Advocate, Katherine McParland

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

The First Nations Leadership Council was deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Katherine McParland this past weekend and joins the community in mourning this tragic loss. Co-founder and Executive Director of A Way Home Kamloops and the Coalition to End Youth Homelessness, Katherine was a fierce advocate dedicated to seeing all youth provided with safe and sustainable housing.

Statement 

December 5, 2020

Arrest of Robert Riley Saunders: First Nations Leadership Council Demands Justice for his Victims

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

The First Nations Leadership Council is relieved to learn of the arrest of disgraced former social worker Robert Riley Saunders, following the approval of several criminal charges by the BC Prosecution Service, and calls to secure justice for all of his victims. Saunders was recently arrested in Alberta and remains in custody. He currently faces charges for fraud, theft, breach of trust and for uttering a forged document.

News Release 
December 3, 2020

On the Verge of Wild Salmon Extinction: FNLC Call for Precautionary Principle to be Implemented and Support Nations’ Call to End Fish Farms in Discovery Islands

From an abundance-based model, to rebuilding-based model

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) - In light of the historic low returns of Pacific wild salmon this year, the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is calling on the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to fully implement the Precautionary Principle. Nations in the Discovery Islands are in consultation with DFO regarding fish farms in their territories and are calling DFO to protect wild Pacific salmon by revoking the licenses for the fish farms immediately.

NEWS RELEASE
November 30, 2020

No time to wait: FNLC calls on Horgan Government to take immediate steps to implement all recommendations identified in Turpel-Lafond Report on systemic racism in health care

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) — The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is calling for government action on the appalling, multi-level systemic racism outlined in the explosive and condemnatory report released today by independent investigator Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond. The report, In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Health Care, stems from an independent investigation following allegations that surfaced earlier this year about a “Price is Right” game being played in some BC hospital emergency rooms in which health care workers were guessing blood alcohol levels of Indigenous patients entering those ERs.

News Release
November 28, 2020

UBCIC Celebrates 40^th Anniversary of Constitution Express

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – November 28, 2020) On November 24, 1980, a group of Indigenous activists and community members led by Grand Chief George Manuel, then president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), embarked on two trains from Vancouver to the seat of the federal government in Ottawa. Facing a time of great upheaval, they sought to ensure that Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau would recognize, not abolish, Indigenous rights in the proposed patriation of the Canadian Constitution.

Why Did the Vancouver Police Board Hide Racism in VPD ranks?

By Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and Harsha Walia

A shorter version of this op-ed was published in the Vancouver Sun on November 26, 2020.

The Vancouver Police Board is tasked with providing civilian governance and oversight over one of the most powerful institutions in our city. When any Vancouverite wants to complain about the policies of the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), the Police Board is responsible for addressing these complaints. Our organizations made such a complaint regarding racist police street checks. After revelations in this paper last week, we are outraged at the conduct of the Police Board in handling our complaint and we demand a complete ban on street checks.

News Release 
November 26, 2020

FNLC Marks the One Year Anniversary of the Passage of Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and Calls for Substantive Action

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) Today the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) acknowledges the one-year anniversary since British Columbia became the first province in Canada and one of the first jurisdictions in the world to enshrine the human rights of Indigenous peoples in law. Bill 41, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act), was passed unanimously on November 26, 2019.

NEWS RELEASE
November 25, 2020

COVID-19 and Opioid Crisis Cases out of Control: FNLC calls on the Government of BC to Implement Further Measures to Combat Dual Pandemics

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ  (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) — The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is calling on the government of British Columbia to take increased and immediate action to fully address the COVID-19 pandemic and the equally devastating opioid crisis. Existing public health orders and measures being taken to prevent and respond to positive COVID-19 cases have not yet been successful in flattening the curve. We cannot afford to have COVID-19 cases to continue to rise exponentially in British Columbia.