Latest News

NEWS RELEASE
April 16, 2025

Relationship Protocol advances First Nations climate solutions

The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS) have entered into a Relationship Protocol to strengthen First Nations climate leadership, advance climate priorities, and generate meaningful benefits for First Nations in British Columbia.

News Release
April 15, 2025

UBCIC Statement of Support for Xatśūll First Nation’s Legal Action Against Mount Polley Mine Expansion

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – April 15, 2025) The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) stands in unwavering solidarity with Xatśūll First Nation in its judicial review challenge against the Province of British Columbia’s reckless approval of the Mount Polley Mine Tailings Storage Facility dam expansion—an approval granted without an environmental assessment and in direct contravention of B.C.’s legal obligations under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act).

News Release
April 11, 2025

UBCIC Denounces Outdated and Regressive Petition Filed on Behalf of Four UBC Faculty Members and Grad Student

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – April 11, 2025). The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) denounces the outdated and regressive views expressed in the petition recently filed on behalf of four University of British Columbia (UBC) faculty and a recent PhD program graduate as it relates to the inherent, human, and constitutional rights of First Nations, including rights to their lands, territories, and resources.

News Release 
April 3, 2025

FNLC Responds to Dallas Brodie’s False Accusation and Joins Calls for CPC to Drop Candidate Aaron Gunn for Residential School Denialism

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is deeply angered and disturbed that two provincial and federal politicians continue to publicly advance Residential School Denialism.

News Release 
March 20, 2025

FNLC Calls on Canada to Prioritize Legislation to Create Legal Protections against Residential School Denialism

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is deeply concerned by the rise of Residential School denialism in the province, particularly the egregious misuse of public office by elected officials using their platforms to sow public doubt and promote misinformation and anti-Indigenous racism. The FNLC calls for the government of Canada to prioritize implementation of federal legislation to protect against Residential School denialism, as has been done with Bill C-19 which criminalized Holocaust denialism in Canada.  

Statement
March 18, 2025

UBCIC Stands with Families of Marcedes Myran and Morgan Harris and Sends Sincere Condolences

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – March 18, 2025) A second set of human remains found in the Prairie Green Landfill have been identified as Marcedes Myran, 26, alongside those of Morgan Harris, 39, which were identified earlier this month. Marcedes and Morgan were members of Long Plain First Nation.

News Release 
March 17, 2025

FNLC Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of the Leadership Accord: Launches FNLC Website

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) Twenty years ago, on March 17, 2005, the political executives of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), the First Nations Summit (FNS), and the BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) signed the historic Leadership Accord to bring to life the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC). This landmark agreement has fostered a powerful cooperative spirit among First Nations in British Columbia, enabling a united voice to champion First Nation’s collective interests, rights and title as directed through resolutions. At this time, we are pleased to launch a new website about the FNLC today to share our history, partnerships, mandates, and news.

Statement
March 6, 2025

UBCIC Mourns the Passing of Kukpwi7 Mike Leach

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – March 6, 2025) The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) offers our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community of Kukpwi7 Mike Leach of the Lillooet Tribe and Stl’atl’imx Nation. We honour and remember Mike’s decades of dedicated service and leadership, from his early work as the Co-ordinator of the Union’s Fire Prevention Programme in 1971 to his invaluable contributions to protecting and advancing Indigenous fishing rights. Mike’s commitment extended across many roles, including his time as Secretary-Treasurer, Executive Member, and Resolution Committee member, where his wisdom and passion guided the UBCIC’s work. Kukpwi7 Mike Leach’s legacy of advocacy, financial stewardship, and unwavering dedication to the rights of First Nations Peoples in B.C. will continue to inspire future generations. Finally, we take this opportunity to acknowledge Mike's strategic Leadership during the 1990 Oka Crisis. We also honour Mike’s vision and tenacity that led to the establishment of the St'at'imc Tribal Police Service.