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News Release

March 25, 2024

FNLC Stands with the Haida Nation and Denounces Misleading and Factually Incorrect Statement by B.C. United Party

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is deeply disappointed with a statement made on March 22^nd by the B.C. United Party that politicizes the basic human rights of First Nations and mischaracterizes the Haida Title Land Agreement (Agreement).

News Release

xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. - The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is deeply concerned by the recent findings published by the Auditor General of Canada regarding housing in First Nations Communities released on March 19. It confirms that since their first report in 2003, little progress has been made in supporting First Nations to improve housing conditions in our communities.

News Release
March 22, 2024

On World Water Day UBCIC Calls on Governments to Prevent Predicted Water Shortages

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – March 22, 2024) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) acknowledges World Water Day and calls on the provincial and federal governments to support and provide funding for First Nations in B.C. to combat predicted drought conditions this summer, including funding the shíshálh Nation’s proposed and desperately needed reservoir.   

News Release 
March 14, 2024

Environment and Land Use Act Orders Regarding Mining Provide Necessary Space to Provide Predictability in the Mining Sector

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) fully supports the Province of B.C. taking measures to pause mining activity in the territories of the Gitxaala and Ehattesaht Nations by issuing interim orders under its Environment and Land Use Act. These measures provide the needed time and opportunity to resolve outstanding issues in relation to mining in the Nations’ territories.

News Release

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) condemns the recent plans by the Vancouver Park Board to close CRAB Park and remove structures containing “construction materials” before allowing residents to return with temporary tent shelters only. CRAB park has been home to residents since May 2021 and shelters at least 30 full-time residents, many of whom are First Nations citizens.

News Release
March 8, 2024

Indigenous Women and Girls Lead Anti-Violence Leadership on International Women’s Day 

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – March 8, 2024) On International Women’s Day, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) stands with Indigenous women and girls in Canada and around the globe who demonstrate wisdom, leadership, and action on the frontlines in the fight for justice and an end to gender-based violence including through days of action.

For immediate release:

Investor Engagement Yields Major Changes to Indigenous Rights at Canada’s Largest Bank

RBC makes changes following shareholder proposals from BCGEU and UBCIC

March 7, 2024

 (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh) | Vancouver, B.C.) In response to two successive shareholder resolutions filed by the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU), with support from the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), the Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY) has launched a new component to its Environmental and Social Risk process, which asks questions about impacts on Indigenous lands and communities (I-ESR).

First Nations Call for Protection of Bear Dens via Immediate Provincial Legislation and Support for First Nations Legal Orders 

Kwakiutl Nation and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs launch an initiative committing to First Nations legal orders as well as Provincial Wildlife Act policy-mechanism to end the long-standing policy-loophole on unprotected bear dens.

March 6, 2024 – Vancouver, British Columbia

Today, we raise our hands to community leader and MLA Adam Olsen for tabling a Bear Den Protection Wildlife Act Amendment in the BC Legislature. Provincial policy measures and mechanisms have been woefully inadequate in addressing this long-standing problem and it is long overdue that we close this loophole once and for all.