Latest News

March 10, 2026

Mayor Scott Gillingham
Mayor of Winnipeg
Via email only

OPEN LETTER: Protecting the Right to Peaceful Protest

Dear Mayor Gillingham and Members of Winnipeg City Council:

On behalf of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), we write to express our deep concern regarding the recent proposal of the “Safe Access to Vulnerable Infrastructure” bylaw. While we understand that the proposal was ultimately withdrawn following significant public opposition, its introduction raises serious concerns about the potential erosion of fundamental democratic freedoms, including the right to peaceful protest.

News Release
March 8, 2026

UBCIC Honours Chief Councillor Linda Innes as First Female Vice-President and Celebrates First Nations Women Leadership on International Women’s Day

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – March 8, 2026) In February 2026, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) elected Chief Councillor Linda Innes, Gitxaala Nation, as Vice-President through acclamation, becoming the first female Vice-President of UBCIC since the Chiefs created the organization in 1969. Chief Councillor Innes joins UBCIC Secretary-Treasurer Chief Marilyn Slett and UBCIC President Grand Chief Stewart Phillip on the first majority-female UBCIC Executive. On International Women’s Day, UBCIC invites elected officials and the public to join us in celebrating the accomplishments of First Nations women and calls for action to address gender inequity and violence that continue to target women.

News Release 
February 19, 2026

First Nations Reject Proposed Amendments to the Declaration Act; FNLC Launch Dedicated Webpage to Fight Misinformation & Division

(xʷməθkʷəy ̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) / Vancouver, B.C.) Today, the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) launched a new page on its website - fnlc.ca/declaration-act - to counteract the ongoing, highly damaging misinformation that has permeated the public and political discourse around B.C.’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, also known as the Declaration Act or DRIPA. First Nations have continued to loudly reject proposed amendments to the Declaration Act, including through resolution at the UBCIC Chiefs Council last week. 

News Release
February 17, 2026

UBCIC Announces Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer and Active Member Appointments

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – February 17, 2026) The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is pleased to announce the appointment of several members to its Executive and as Active Members following elections held at the Chiefs Council Meeting this week, joining President Grand Chief Stewart Phillip who was elected at the October 2026 Annual General Assembly.

News Release 
February 5, 2026

Declaration Act is Not a Threat to Private Property: Clarifying False Linkages in the Media

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is deeply concerned about the confusion that has been created by recent media reporting and public commentary that incorrectly link the B.C. Supreme Court’s findings on Aboriginal title in the Cowichan Tribes decision with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act).

News Release
January 30, 2026

Federal Court of Appeal Upholds Discovery Islands Fish Farm Decision: A Victory for Wild Salmon, Indigenous Rights, and the Precautionary Principle

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – January 30, 2026) The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) welcomes the decision of the Federal Court of Appeal to dismiss the appeal brought by Mowi Canada West Inc. and other salmon farming companies challenging the federal Minister of Fisheries’ decision to decline renewal of aquaculture licenses in the Discovery Islands.

News Release 

January 29, 2026

FNLC Congratulates Tahltan Central Government, Tahltan Nation, and the Province on Eskay Mine Decision, Emphasizes Importance of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) congratulates the Tahltan Central Government (TCG), the Tahltan Nation, and the Province on making regulatory decisions on the reopening of the Eskay Creek gold-silver mine through the first-ever consent-based agreement under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act).