Latest News

June 17, 2026

The Right Honourable Mark Carney
Prime Minister of Canada

The Honourable Joanne Thompson
Minister of Fisheries

Re: Upholding the 2029 Transition from Open Net-Pen Fish Farms in British Columbia

Dear Prime Minister Carney and Minister Thompson,

The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) writes to urge the Government of Canada to uphold and fully implement the announced 2029 transition away from open net-pen salmon farming in British Columbia waters.

Dear Relatives, Leaders, and Advocates,

On behalf of a group of 6 Indigenous Youth Climate Leaders, we are sharing our updated position paper: "Inheriting the 100-Year Storm: A Youth Vision Against the 'Postage Stamp' Strategy and Provincial Self-Sabotage."

News Release
June 10, 2026

UBCIC Rejects Proposed Major Projects Reforms

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – June 10, 2026) The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) has submitted recommendations to the Government of Canada regarding its engagement on proposed reforms to federal major project review and approval processes.

Local governments in B.C.
Via e-mail only

June 8, 2026

Open Letter: Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project

Dear local governments in B.C.,

We are writing regarding our collective work to modernize the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) through the Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project (HCATP).

News Release
June 4, 2026

B.C. Chiefs Stand with First Nations Women Demanding PM Carney End the Second-Generation Cut-Off

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – June 4, 2026) Chiefs and leaders rallied at the UBCIC Chiefs Council Meeting yesterday urging Prime Minister Carney to meet with Sharon McIvor and First Nations women leaders immediately and to pass Bill S-2 as amended by the Senate without delay. The amended Bill, if passed, will remove remaining sex, race and marital status discrimination, and the second- generation cut-off from the Indian Act.

News Release
May 29, 2026

UBCIC Calls for Principled Reform of the B.C. Treaty Commission Process

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – May 29, 2026) Yesterday, Bill 20, the K’ómoks Treaty Act, passed third reading and progressed through Committee despite sustained opposition and unresolved concerns raised by neighbouring and affected First Nations regarding territorial overlap, failure to obtain consent, and impacts on inherent and constitutionally protected title and rights, and jurisdiction. The Legislature and provincial government ignored dispute resolution processes proposed by neighbouring and affected First Nations based on Indigenous law, and are plowing ahead with the ratification process on the last day of the spring session.

News Release
May 27, 2026

UBCIC Denounces Ongoing Residential School Denialism Campaign: Calls on Canada to Enshrine Legal Protections

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – May 27, 2026)  UBCIC was disappointed, disgusted and deeply concerned to learn that a Residential School denialist demonstration is planned at the B.C. Legislature today. UBCIC condemns the pattern of public demonstrations and publications questioning and downplaying the Residential School system and seeking to undermine active First Nations-led investigations under the guise of freedom of speech and academic freedom. We stand firmly and steadfastly with survivors and recognize their experience as truth.  

News Release
May 25, 2026

Fifth Anniversary of Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc Announcement: UBCIC Honours Residential School Survivors and Condemns Denialism

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – May 25, 2026) Five years ago on May 27th, 2021, Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation shared preliminary findings of an investigation into the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School that indicated the presence of over 200 potential burials. UBCIC stands in solemn solidarity with all survivors and intergenerational survivors, with all First Nations who are being actively harmed by Residential School denialism, and in defense of the truth.