Latest News

News Release

October 20, 2023

UBCIC Calls on Canada and the Province to Take First Nations Lead in Northern Spotted Owl Protection

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – October 20, 2023) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is outraged and gravely concerned at Canada’s decision to reject an emergency order to protect Northern Spotted Owl habitat from logging. UBCIC is seeking substantive action from Environment and Climate Change Canada to support effective conservation measures for the spotted owl, coordinated with Spuzzum First Nation, Canada, and the Province of British Columbia. Decades of decline for this species, despite the tools available under the Species at Risk Act and supposed logging deferrals in their habitat, point to the urgent need to use every tool available to act quickly the stewardship of spotted owls and ground-truth the effectiveness of conservation actions.

News Release 
October 13, 2023

FNLC outraged by early parole granted to man who stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from Indigenous youth in care

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is shocked, appalled and deeply outraged by the decision of the National Parole Board to release Robert Riley Saunders on day parole. The FNLC has condemned the decision and has called for an immediate reversal of the decision.

News Release
October 12, 2023

UBCIC Honours the Life of Chief Mel Bevan

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – October 12, 2023) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) expresses our most profound and heartfelt condolences to the Bevan family and the community of Kitselas on the passing of formerly elected and Hereditary Chief Melville (Mel) Bevan. He will be remembered as a knowledge-holder, a teacher, and a powerful advocate for his people as he dedicated his life fighting to advance recognition of Kitselas title and rights, and for the title and rights of all First Nations.

Statement
October 5, 2023

UBCIC Demands Drastic Increase to Harm Reduction, Housing and Treatment for Drug Users in Response to BC’s New Legislation on Public Consumption of Drugs

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – October 5, 2023)  Earlier today, the governing NDP party tabled an Act on the Consumption of Illegal Substances in the legislature that bans public substance use in a variety of community spaces, including all parks and beaches. UBCIC calls on the government to instead address the interlinked, spiraling crises of housing, affordability, addiction, and mental health in a holistic, systems-wide, and compassionate manner. 

News Release
October 5, 2023

UBCIC Celebrates Wab Kinew’s Significant Victory as Manitoba’s first First Nations Premier

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – October 5, 2023) Late on October 3, Wab Kinew, a member of the Onigaming First Nations and the leader of Manitoba’s New Democratic Party, was elected as Premier-designate – a first in Manitoban and Canadian history.  

News Release 
September 30, 2023 

UBCIC Calls on Public to Honour Indian Residential School Survivors and Reflect on Painful Truths on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation  

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – September 30, 2023) Today marks the first time BC will join the federal government in recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday. The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) reminds the BC public that September 30^th is not a celebratory holiday, but a day for reflection, education, open dialogue, and action on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s findings and 94 Calls to Action.    

News Release
September 18, 2023

UBCIC Urges Government and Justice Authorities “Do Not Look Away” on International Day of Action to Search the Landfills

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – September 18, 2023) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs renews calls from a recent statement in support of Manitoba Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit+ (MMIWG2S+) Families and Advocates and for Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson to search the landfills where the remains of at least five First Nations women have been found, or are believed to be. We are dismayed that the grim realities of the MMIWG2S+ crisis have reached such unprecedented heights as to require this International Day of Action to Search the Landfills for the remains of our relatives and loved ones. The dignity of our people is not up for debate and must not be decided based on political will or the bottom line.

Statement
September 15, 2023

UBCIC Celebrates the Life of Councillor Rick Gilbert, Williams Lake First Nation

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – September 15, 2023) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) sends our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community of Wiliams Lake First Nations Councillor Rick Gilbert, who passed on September 11, 2023.