National Day of Awareness for MMIWG2S+ Casts Light on Intersections between Gender-Based Violence and Human-Caused Climate Crisis
News Release
May 5, 2022
National Day of Awareness for MMIWG2S+ Casts Light on Intersections between Gender-Based Violence and Human-Caused Climate Crisis
((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – May 5th, 2022). The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) marks the National Day of Awareness for MMIWG2S+ with a call to BC and Canada to uphold the sacred role of Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit+ people and end colonial violence enmeshed in extractive industries fueling the climate crisis and gender-based violence.
Read moreUBCIC Statement of Condolence on the Passing of Philomena (Phyllis) Joseph
News Release
May 2, 2022
UBCIC Statement of Condolence on the Passing of Philomena (Phyllis) Joseph
((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – May 2, 2022) It is with shock and profound sadness that the Union of BC Indian Chiefs Executive has learned of the passing of Philomena Joseph on April 27th at the age of 66. A former receptionist at the UBCIC, Phyllis, as she was known to family, her many friends, and colleagues, was a remarkable person whose warmth, kindness, and humour elevated the spirits of everyone who had the good fortune to be in her company.
Read moreBCFNJC and FNLC applaud Final Report of the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
BCFNJC and FNLC applaud Final Report of the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act
Now is time to push forward public safety and policing through self-determination
tkwəɬniwt (Westbank), Okanagan Syilx Territory, BC [April 29, 2022]: The BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC), united with the First Nations Summit, the BC Assembly of First Nations and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (collectively the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC)), applaud the recommendations put forth in the final report of the Special Committee on the Reforming Police Act titled, “Transforming Policing and Community Safety in British Columbia.”
Read moreUBCIC Remembers and Honours St’at’imc Elder and Land Defender Rosalin (Sam) Edmonds (Yaoqus)
Press Release
April 27, 2022
UBCIC Remembers and Honours St’at’imc Elder and Land Defender Rosalin (Sam) Edmonds (Yaoqus)
(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – April 26, 2022) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) joins the Lil’wat people and the St’at’imc Nation in mourning the recent passing of their elder and land defender Rosalin Edmonds (Sam).
Read moreOn Earth Day, UBCIC Calls for Emergency-Level Action on Climate and Environmental Protection
News Release
April 22, 2022
On Earth Day, UBCIC Calls for Emergency-Level Action on Climate and Environmental Protection
(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – April 22, 2022) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) calls on all people to commit to protecting our shared planet. The climate disasters experienced by communities across British Columbia over the past year have demonstrated beyond a doubt the severity of the climate crisis and the urgency required to mitigate the ongoing catastrophe to Earth and to our peoples.
Read moreBC First Nations Climate Strategy and Action Plan Released on Earth Day
News Release
April 22, 2022
BC First Nations Climate Strategy and Action Plan Released on Earth Day
(Xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – April 22, 2022). The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is pleased to announce the release of the BC First Nations Climate Strategy and Action Plan (the Strategy), timed to celebrate and honour Earth Day.
Read moreFNLC Welcomes BC's Interim Commitments Towards Watershed Protection
Press Release
April 21, 2022
FNLC Welcomes BC's Interim Commitments Towards Watershed Protection
(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) welcomes Premier Horgan's announcement to commit $30 million towards projects that protect watersheds in BC, including $15 million to be allocated towards Indigenous-led or co-led projects.
Read moreRe: Criminal Contempt Charges to Wet’suwet’en Land Defenders and Their Allies
April 14, 2022
The Honourable David Eby
Attorney General of British Columbia
Via email only: [email protected]
Re: Criminal Contempt Charges to Wet’suwet’en Land Defenders and Their Allies
Dear Minister Eby,
The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) Executive has learned that Justice Marguerite Church has invited the B.C. Prosecution Service to consider charging Wet’suwet’en land defenders and their allies with criminal contempt for their actions on territories which have never been ceded, released or surrendered to the Crown. The UBCIC Executive unequivocally urges the Ministry of Attorney General not to proceed with criminal charges in this matter. Wet’suwet’en hereditary leadership, the rightful title holders of the land on which the alleged actions took place, have not permitted the construction of sections of the Coastal GasLink pipeline through the territory under their jurisdiction. The Wet’suwet’en continue to exercise their right to govern and occupy their lands by continuing and empowering Wet’suwet’en law and governance systems.