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News Release
August 17, 2023

UBCIC Calls for Urgent Climate Action as Wildfire Crisis Grows in NWT, BC, and Hawaii

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – August 17, 2023) The entire city of Yellowknife is under evacuation orders, and wildfire damage has destroyed the towns of Enterprise in the Northwest Territories (NWT) and Lahaina in Hawaii. Thousands of people have been displaced, and there have been at least 111 deaths in Lahaina. The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) calls on all governments to protect our lands, our peoples, and our future generations from further harm from the impacts of the climate crisis and recognize that drastically reducing emissions that are the major drivers of climate change such as fossil fuel extraction, must be prioritized.

Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation ‘Namgis First Nation
St’át’imc Chiefs Council
Stó꞉lō Tribal Council
Musqueam Indian Band
Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs

August 16, 2023

First Nations Coalition Supports Minister’s Decision to  Close Open Net-Pen Fish Farms in the Discovery Islands

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh) /Vancouver, B.C.) — The Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation, ‘Namgis First Nation, St’át’imc Chiefs Council, Stó꞉lō Tribal Council, Musqueam Indian Band, and the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (together the “First Nations Coalition”) have jointly applied together to the Federal Court for leave to intervene in a critical case for the survival of the Fraser River wild salmon and the closure of open net-pen fish farms in the Discovery Islands area of BC.

August 14, 2023

OPEN LETTER: Support for the CRCC Review of the C-IRG and Call to Immediately Disband the C-IRG

Dear Michelaine Lahaie, Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, Minister Farnworth, and Minister Mendicino,

We are writing with respect to Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) Resolution 2023-23 “Support for the CRCC Review of the C-IRG and Call to Immediately Disband the C-IRG” which was presented, affirmed, and endorsed unanimously at the UBCIC Chiefs Council on June 8, 2023 (enclosure).

Press Release 
August 2, 2023

The FNLC Calls for Water Rental Rate Reform and Watershed Investments in the Wake of Unprecedented Drought Conditions in BC

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) As forest fires continue to rage across British Columbia due to climate change, a paralleling crisis is occurring within our watersheds as aquifers are drying up, glaciers are retreating, and groundwater is depleting at unprecedented rates. With decimated snowpack levels, and over two-thirds of BC's watersheds in Category 4 and 5 drought conditions, negative compounding impacts will continue throughout the summer and into the fall. These conditions adversely impact stream flows and high river temperatures for fish and aquatic habitats, increase food insecurity, and cause widespread damage to BC's ecosystems while threatening First Nations' cultures, traditions and practices.

News Release   
July 31, 2023

Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Approves $23.3 Billion in Compensation for First Nations Children

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.)The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) welcomes the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal’s (Tribunal) ruling, supporting the revised First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS), Jordan’s Principle and Trout Class Settlement Agreement (revised FSA) of $23.3 billion dollars in compensation for all those who suffered Canada’s discrimination through the FNCFS program and Jordan’s Principle.

News Release 
July 28, 2023

First Nations Leadership Council Celebrates Joan Phillip Being Sworn in as Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

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

The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) proudly extends its heartfelt congratulations to Joan Phillip, a distinguished member of Penticton Indian Band from Tsleil-Waututh, and distinguished leader and climate activist, as she is sworn in as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (MLA) for Vancouver Mount-Pleasant.  Joan succeeds outgoing MLA Melanie Mark who is Nisga’a, Gtixsan, Cree and Ojibway. Phillip’s appointment represents another pivotal milestone in our ongoing fight for representation of First Nations voices in the highest echelons of governance.

News Release
July 25, 2023

“We are Not Trash”: UBCIC Stands with Manitoba MMIWG2S+ Families and Advocates, Implores Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson to Search the Landfills 

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – July 25, 2023) Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S+) family members, First Nations, and advocates have set up a new camp beside the Canadian Museum for Human Rights after being forced by an injunction to clear their blockade of the city-run Brady Landfill.

Your Urgent Endorsement Needed

Catastrophic Funding Shortfalls for Specific Claims Research

The National Claims Research Directors (NCRD) writes to request your urgent endorsement of our open letter to CIRNAC Minister Marc Miller on July 20, 2023. This letter calls on Canada to immediately address an $18.5 million shortfall in annual research funding for specific claims in the 2023-2024 fiscal year to ensure all First Nations who applied for funding to research and develop their specific claims are able to continue their crucial work.