Latest News

News Release
May 11, 2021

RCMP Shoot Tla-o-qui-aht Woman on Mother’s Day Weekend: Indigenous Leadership Furious with Ongoing Police Brutality

(Tla-o-qui-aht Territory and Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) On May 8th, a Tla-o-qui-aht mother of two was shot by the RCMP after they responded to a call for help. The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and the First Nations Leadership Council are calling for an immediate, transparent and transformative response which includes the Tla-o-qui-aht community at every step of the way.

Statement
May 10, 2021

UBCIC Supports UN Committee’s Call on Canada to Protect Mi’kmaq Fishers and Investigate Claims of Racist Violence

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – May 10, 2021) After reviewing the information submitted to them by Sipekne’katik fishers under their Early Warning and Urgent Action Procedure, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has officially called on Canada to investigate the acts of violence, hate, and discrimination that were perpetrated against Mi’kmaq fisher men and women last fall.

News Release
May 7, 2021

Vancouver Police Endanger Indigenous Women and Child on MMIWG Day of Awareness

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – May 7, 2021) The Coalition on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (“the Coalition”) is appalled that on May 5th, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), Vancouver Police willfully and negligently endangered the lives of several Indigenous women, including a mother and her young child.

News Release
May 5, 2021

Unbroken and Unsilenced: UBCIC Demands Overdue Justice on National Day of Awareness for MMIWG

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – May 5, 2021) Year after year, loss after loss, Indigenous women and girls have had to face a persisting, haunting reality: in the face of government inaction and delays, they continue to be casualties in an ongoing humanitarian crisis that is fueled by violence, discrimination, and apathy. The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) marks this National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls with renewed calls to action to ensure that the painful reality Indigenous women and girls face can be replaced with one that fosters justice and healing.

News Release
May 3, 2021

FNLC Remembers Thomas Berger and Honours his Legacy as a Prominent Indigenous Title and Rights Advocate

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) remembers and honours prominent civil and Indigenous rights advocate Thomas Berger. The former B.C. Supreme Court judge, politician, and lawyer devoted his life’s work to addressing injustice. Berger’s landmark achievements transformed Canadian law and Aboriginal rights and title, paving the way for several legal victories for First Nations within and beyond his lifetime.

News Release
April 27, 2021

UBCIC Congratulates Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and All Recipients of the 2021 BC Reconciliation Award

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – April 27, 2021) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) warmly congratulates UBCIC President Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and the eight other recipients of the inaugural British Columbia Reconciliation Award for their extraordinary leadership, courage, wisdom, and dedication in advancing reconciliation for Indigenous people in British Columbia.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Civil Liberties, Indigenous Rights, and Community Groups Respond to BC Travel Restrictions Order

VANCOUVER/ (Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) territories, April 23, 2021 – Civil Liberties, Indigenous and Community organizations are responding to the Travel Restrictions (COVID-19) Order announced by the BC Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth. The order made under BC’s Emergency Programs Act is already in effect and will be until May 25, however enforcement details have not been released. The order enables police and other enforcement officers to issue violation tickets in the amount of $575 to any person travelling into or out of health regions except for an essential purpose.

News Release
April 23, 2021

PANDEMIC-FOCUSED PROVINCIAL BUDGET MISSES THE MARK ON CRITICAL FIRST NATIONS ITEMS

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.)  The provincial government tabled its 2021 Budget on April 20th, under the title, “A Stronger BC, For Everyone,” with key investments addressing the immediate and long-term impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Some historic investments are planned, including a new Strategic Investment Fund, InBC, $500 million in funding towards mental health and addictions services, targeted investments to address the ongoing opioid crisis, and $45 million to respond to the recommendations of the In Plain Sight report on systemic anti-Indigenous racism in the healthcare system.