Latest News

News Release
May 5, 2023

UBCIC Demands End of Targeted Violence by Authorities on National Day of Awareness for MMIWG2S

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – May 5, 2023) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is calling on all authorities to end discrimination, sexism, and violence enacted by the multilateral justice systems against Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people on the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People.

22 GROUPS CALL FOR END TO TOFINO FISH FARM EXPANSIONS

Tofino BC, 26 April 2023—As fish farms are being closed around British Columbia, Cermaq Canada has requested a fourth permit to expand their operations near Tofino. Cermaq now has only 14 fish farms left in British Columbia—all in the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The Honourable Marc Miller
Minister, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Sent via email only

Dear Minister Miller,

The National Claims Research Directors (NCRD) writes to thank you for your letter of March 31, 2023, in response to our February 15^th open letter to you and Minister Lametti. While we are encouraged by the constructive tone of your reply, there remain areas of acute concern to First Nations that must be addressed immediately so that research on First Nations claims can proceed.

Statement
April 21, 2023

UBCIC Remembers and Honours Dr. Gloria Cranmer Webster

((xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – April 21, 2023) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) wishes to acknowledge the passing of Dr. Gloria Cranmer Webster, and extend our deep, heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, loved ones, and community. She will be truly missed by those who were privileged to witness her passionate and tireless advocacy for the reclamation of First Nations culture, language, and traditions and her support and love for her family and community.

Statement   
April 20, 2023

Legalized but Still Excluded; FNLC Calls for Change to Cannabis Laws

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) In 2018, cannabis was legalized without meaningful engagement or consultation with First Nations. As people gather on April 20^th to engage in further advocacy around cannabis, the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) calls on the governments of British Columbia and Canada to align the cannabis legal framework with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and support First Nations fulsome participation in the cannabis economy.

BC First Nations highlight Canadian banks’ pattern of supporting Trans Mountain Expansion through preferential rates

April 19, 2023

xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territory/Vancouver, B.C. 

This week Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN) and the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) wrote letters to the CEO of Canada’s six largest banks, RBC, BMO, TD, Scotiabank, CIBC and National Bank regarding the $10 billion loan currently being negotiated for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMX).

Press Release
April 18, 2023

UBCIC Celebrates Historic Settlement of Treaty 8Treaty Land Entitlement Specific Claim

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – April 18, 2023) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs extends our warmest congratulations to the Blueberry River, Doig River, Halfway River, Saulteau, and West Moberly First Nations on finally achieving justice for their Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) specific claim after decades of negotiations with the federal and provincial governments to honour their historical land treaty.

 April 17, 2023

Honorable Justin Trudeau,
Prime Minister

Honorable Joyce Murray, Minister
Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)

OPEN LETTER: FNLC Calls for The Prime Minister to Act After Parliamentary Report Details Systemic Issues in DFO

Dear Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Murray:

We are writing regarding the March 2023 scathing report by the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Ocean (FOPO) on science at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). This report is an indictment of the many issues long identified by First Nations and exposes the bias and unscientific decision-making and processes that permeate DFO.