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News Release

September 11, 2020

Wave of COVID-19 is Hitting Vancouver’s DTES:
Residents Encouraged to Take Precautions; UBCIC Welcomes Urgent, Transparent Action from VCH

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – September 11, 2020) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) has learned that there are confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) among residents and front line staff, with multiple cases in some locations. UBCIC is calling on all residents of the DTES, neighbours and staff, to take heightened safety precautions and get tested if they are presenting any symptoms of COVID, while ensuring that existing services continue to be used. To halt what could be a disastrous and fatal outbreak, UBCIC is seeking an updated urgent, public, comprehensive action plan from Vancouver Coastal Health and the Province, that will target and protect the DTES’ vulnerable populations, especially Indigenous peoples. 

OPEN LETTER: Federal Support Urgently Needed in Addressing Homelessness

Dear Minister Hussen, Prime Minister Trudeau, and Deputy Prime Minister Freeland, 

We are writing to request immediate federal funding to address the short and long-term housing insecurity and the safety needs of people experiencing homelessness in Vancouver. Crucially, those residing in encampments such as Camp KT, a significant proportion of whom are Indigenous, need urgent and sustained relief. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Civil Liberties and Indigenous Rights Groups Call on CRCC to Immediately Take Conduct of Investigation into Wet’suwet’en Land Defender’s Police Complaint

VANCOUVER/ (Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) territories, August 27, 2020 –BC Civil Liberties Association and Union of BC Indian Chiefs are calling on the Chairperson of the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP (CRCC) to immediately take charge of the investigation of a Wet’suwet’en land defender’s police complaint.

Statement
August 18, 2020

UBCIC Remembers Renowned Nisg̱a’a Leader and Trailblazer Joseph Gosnell

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – August 18, 2020) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Joseph Gosnell after his long-fought battle with cancer. An admired politician, treaty negotiator and incomparable leader of the Nisga’a Nation, UBCIC mourns the loss of not only an incredible pioneer of Indigenous Title and Rights, but a loving father who leaves behind seven children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We offer our deepest condolences to his wife of 64 years, Audrey Adele, his family, friends, and community members.

News Release
For Immediate Release
August 18, 2020

First Nations Leaders Declare Collapse of Pacific Sockeye 

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.— Aug. 18, 2020) — Due to catastrophic decline in stocks, the First Nations Leadership Council is calling on Bernadette Jordan, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, to issue an emergency order to close all sockeye fisheries on the Fraser River.

“Fisheries and Oceans recently put the estimated return of sockeye to the Fraser at 283,000. This is the lowest return in my lifetime, and probably the lowest in history,” said BC Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Terry Teegee. “Ten years ago, the Cohen Commission was looking into sockeye decline when we had over a million fish returning. The federal government has clearly not taken this situation seriously – this is a non-partisan issue. Minister Jordan needs to declare this stock collapsed and issue an emergency order to close all sockeye fisheries. We don’t have any more time,” he continued. 

August 6^th, 2020

NOTICE TO BC FIRST NATIONS

RE:    Notice of certification and proposed settlement in Robert Riley Saunders Class Action

Dear Chiefs and Leaders,

On July 14, 2020, the Riley Saunders class action was certified in BC Supreme Court and a proposed settlement agreement, pending court approval, was reached on behalf of all victims of disgraced former social worker Robert Riley Saunders. As this information may impact some of your community members, we kindly request that you assist in sharing this information broadly to ensure all victims are notified.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rights Groups Call for Names of VPD Officers Engaged in Misconduct during Street Check Review Ride-alongs

August 6, 2020, (Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, BC) - BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA), Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), and Hogan’s Alley Society are releasing a second letter from the provincial Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) regarding the UBCIC and BCCLA’s complaint regarding the Vancouver Police Department’s practice of street checks.

Dear UBCIC Chiefs Council and friends,

We are writing to share the sad news that long-time UBCIC friend and legal counsel Roshan Danesh, has just lost his son. Darwyn Danesh was born on May 15, 2004 and passed on July 22, 2020 at the young age of 16 years old. Darwyn was a happy and engaged youth who enjoyed going to school, going on long drives, and chocolate milkshakes. He lived with Downs Syndrome and autism as well as a chronic heart condition. He is survived by Roshan, Cathy (mom) and Mary (older sister).