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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.

Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Sixteenth Session, 17 - 21 July 2023
Item 10: Intersessional activities and follow-up to thematic studies and advice

Wednesday, 19 July 2023

Joint Statement of the Coalition for the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Canada): Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) Cree Nation Government; Amnistie Internationale Canada Francophone; British Columbia Treaty Commission; Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers); First Nations Summit; KAIROS (Canada); Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs; Cheryl Knockwood, Chair, Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission; Ellen Gabriel, Kanehsatake Land Defender; Hup-Wil-Lax-A, Kirby Muldoe, Grassroots Human Rights Defender; Lea Nicholas-MacKenzie; Dr. Willie Littlechild, KC, IPC (International Chief for Treaties 6,7and 8)

Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Sixteenth Session, 17 - 21 July 2023

Item 9: Report Establishing Effective Monitoring Mechanisms for the Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Thursday, 20 July 2023

Joint Statement of the Coalition for the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Canada): Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) Cree Nation Government; Amnistie Internationale Canada Francophone; British Columbia Treaty Commission; Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers); First Nations Summit; KAIROS (Canada); Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs; Cheryl Knockwood, Chair, Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission; Ellen Gabriel, Kanehsatake Land Defender; Hup-Wil-Lax-A, Kirby Muldoe, Grassroots Human Rights Defender; Lea Nicholas-MacKenzie; Dr. Willie Littlechild, KC, IPC (International Chief for Treaties 6,7and 8)

July 20, 2023

OPEN LETTER: UBCIC Resolution 2023-19 “Call to Strengthen Animal Farming Practices and Address the Significant Environmental Impacts of Factory Farming”

Dear Minister Bibeau and Minister Alexis:

We are writing with respect to Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) Resolution 2023-19 “Call to Strengthen Animal Farming Practices and Address the Significant Environmental Impacts of Factory Farming” which was presented, affirmed, and endorsed unanimously at the UBCIC Chiefs Council on June 8, 2023 (enclosed).

Dear Minister Miller,

The National Claims Research Directors (NCRD) writes to you urgently regarding the severe shortfall in specific claims research funding for the 2023-24 fiscal year. It has come to our attention that in response to its annual call for proposals, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada’s (CIRNAC) Negotiation and Support Directorate (NSD) received 160 applications for specific claims research funding from Claims Research Units (CRUs) and individual First Nations, totaling $30.5 million. CIRNAC’s annual budgetary allocation for specific claims research funding is $12 million, resulting in an $18.5 million shortfall.

New forest surveillance system exposes ongoing old growth logging in British Columbia, amid ongoing calls for transparency

July 20, 2023

Stand.earth Research Group’s ‘Forest Eye’ combines government data with remote sensing and satellite imagery to send the public alerts about recent logging in old growth forests in proposed deferral areas

xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territories (Vancouver, BC) –  Award-winning researchers launched a bespoke data mapping tool today exposing the state of of old growth logging in British Columbia.