Latest News

News Release
April 24, 2026

UNPFII 2026: UBCIC Women’s Representative Calls for Health Justice and an End to Sex and Race-Based Discrimination

(Lenape Territory/New York, NY – April 24, 2026) This week, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is attending the 25th United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) on the theme of “Ensuring Indigenous Peoples’ health, including in the context of conflict.”

News Release
April 22, 2026

UBCIC Supports Calls to Uphold the Title and Rights of all Impacted First Nations Before Advancing Treaty Legislation

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – April 22, 2026) The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) stands in support of Wei Wai Kum First Nation, the Nine Allied Tribes, and Lax Kw’alaams Band in their call for the Province to pause advancement of the K’ómoks and Kitselas treaty bills until outstanding issues are addressed with respect to boundary resolution.

April 19, 2026

An Open Letter to Members of the Legislative Assembly

This week, the B.C. NDP government will try to muster support from MLAs for a bill to suspend parts of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA or “Declaration Act”) and a related Interpretation Act amendment. Premier Eby has confirmed he intends to introduce legislation to suspend critical provisions of DRIPA despite overwhelming opposition from First Nations, and is seeking to build caucus and cross-party support to do so.  Each member is being needlessly forced into a vote by Premier Eby, which will have immediate and lasting consequences for reconciliation and the legal, political and economic stability of this province. We are writing to urge members to oppose this proposed bill.

NEWS RELEASE
April 9, 2026

First Nations Leadership Council Opposes B.C. Government’s Proposal to Suspend DRIPA

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) – The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) opposes the B.C. Government’s proposal to suspend key provisions of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA or “Declaration Act”) and the Interpretation Act, calling it a unilateral betrayal and an abandonment of the Province’s commitment to principled reconciliation, as well as serving to create a climate of uncertainty.

News Release
March 31, 2026

UBCIC Honours the Life and Legacy of qiyəplenəxʷ — Howard E. Grant, O.B.C.

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – March 31, 2026) The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) joins the Musqueam people and First Nations across these territories in mourning the passing of qiyəplenəxʷ — Howard Edward Grant, and in honouring a life dedicated to uplifting First Nations title, rights, and self-determination. He passed away on March 29, 2026, at the age of 79.

March 10, 2026

Mayor Scott Gillingham
Mayor of Winnipeg
Via email only

OPEN LETTER: Protecting the Right to Peaceful Protest

Dear Mayor Gillingham and Members of Winnipeg City Council:

On behalf of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), we write to express our deep concern regarding the recent proposal of the “Safe Access to Vulnerable Infrastructure” bylaw. While we understand that the proposal was ultimately withdrawn following significant public opposition, its introduction raises serious concerns about the potential erosion of fundamental democratic freedoms, including the right to peaceful protest.

News Release
March 8, 2026

UBCIC Honours Chief Councillor Linda Innes as First Female Vice-President and Celebrates First Nations Women Leadership on International Women’s Day

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – March 8, 2026) In February 2026, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) elected Chief Councillor Linda Innes, Gitxaala Nation, as Vice-President through acclamation, becoming the first female Vice-President of UBCIC since the Chiefs created the organization in 1969. Chief Councillor Innes joins UBCIC Secretary-Treasurer Chief Marilyn Slett and UBCIC President Grand Chief Stewart Phillip on the first majority-female UBCIC Executive. On International Women’s Day, UBCIC invites elected officials and the public to join us in celebrating the accomplishments of First Nations women and calls for action to address gender inequity and violence that continue to target women.