Latest News

News Release 
February 19, 2026

First Nations Reject Proposed Amendments to the Declaration Act; FNLC Launch Dedicated Webpage to Fight Misinformation & Division

(xʷməθkʷəy ̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) / Vancouver, B.C.) Today, the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) launched a new page on its website - fnlc.ca/declaration-act - to counteract the ongoing, highly damaging misinformation that has permeated the public and political discourse around B.C.’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, also known as the Declaration Act or DRIPA. First Nations have continued to loudly reject proposed amendments to the Declaration Act, including through resolution at the UBCIC Chiefs Council last week. 

News Release
February 17, 2026

UBCIC Announces Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer and Active Member Appointments

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – February 17, 2026) The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is pleased to announce the appointment of several members to its Executive and as Active Members following elections held at the Chiefs Council Meeting this week, joining President Grand Chief Stewart Phillip who was elected at the October 2026 Annual General Assembly.

News Release 
February 5, 2026

Declaration Act is Not a Threat to Private Property: Clarifying False Linkages in the Media

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is deeply concerned about the confusion that has been created by recent media reporting and public commentary that incorrectly link the B.C. Supreme Court’s findings on Aboriginal title in the Cowichan Tribes decision with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act).

News Release
January 30, 2026

Federal Court of Appeal Upholds Discovery Islands Fish Farm Decision: A Victory for Wild Salmon, Indigenous Rights, and the Precautionary Principle

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – January 30, 2026) The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) welcomes the decision of the Federal Court of Appeal to dismiss the appeal brought by Mowi Canada West Inc. and other salmon farming companies challenging the federal Minister of Fisheries’ decision to decline renewal of aquaculture licenses in the Discovery Islands.

News Release 

January 29, 2026

FNLC Congratulates Tahltan Central Government, Tahltan Nation, and the Province on Eskay Mine Decision, Emphasizes Importance of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) congratulates the Tahltan Central Government (TCG), the Tahltan Nation, and the Province on making regulatory decisions on the reopening of the Eskay Creek gold-silver mine through the first-ever consent-based agreement under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act).

NEWS RELEASE

January 28, 2026

FNLC Condemns Recreational Fishing Lobby’s Racist Campaign Against First Nations and their Fishing Rights

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) Recreational participants in the Salmon Allocation Policy (SAP) review process have cultivated a dangerous and offensive online campaign through social media, websites and forums that spreads misinformation about First Nations’ positions in the review process and what it may mean for non-Indigenous Canadians.

January 26, 2026

Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon
President
University of British Columbia  

OPEN LETTER: Indian Residential School Denialism Event at UBC

Dear President Bacon,

We are writing to express our concern and disappointment that, to our knowledge, the University of British Columbia (UBC) did not prohibit a Residential School denialism event which disrespectfully took place outside the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre on January 22, 2026.

More than 100 First Nations Leaders Object to Amendments to the Declaration Act; Call for Province to Work Together with First Nations to Advance Reconciliation

A steadily growing list of more than 100 First Nations and First Nations organizations say amendments to the Declaration Act will undermine certainty and increase conflict and litigation if First Nations are forced to defend their rights.

February 9, 2026

Joint Statement: B.C.’s Declaration Act Provides a Backstop of Certainty in a World of Chaos

Calls to amend the Declaration Act or appeal recent court decisions would undermine economic certainty, reconciliation, and shared prosperity in British Columbia.

At a time of global instability and uncertainty, people are understandably looking for clarity, certainty, and leadership grounded in shared values. Difficult moments can bring out the best in us—or they can provoke fear-based reactions that risk undoing hard-won progress. Recent trends in British Columbia are cause for concern.