Latest News

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.  

Press Release 

March 4, 2024

First Nations Release Critical Minerals Strategy in

British Columbia to Facilitate Net Zero by 2050

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) - First Nations in B.C. have announced a proactive critical minerals strategy for their territories in British Columbia. The First Nations Critical Minerals Strategy was facilitated and prepared by the BC First Nations Energy and Mining Council and supported by the First Nations Leadership Council. 

News Release 
February 27, 2024

First Nations Leadership Council disgusted by comedy group profiteering off the Pickton mass murder case

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is deeply offended by the Albertan comedy group The Danger Cats selling t-shirts with the cartoon image of BC serial killer Robert William Pickton and reprehensible text referencing the victims. Pickton, who was convicted of six murders in 2007, is connected to at least 49 murders of women, many of whom were Indigenous and survival sex workers.

News Release

February 21, 2024

FNLC Deeply Frustrated with Opposition to Land Act Amendments

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is extremely disappointed with the decision to postpone introduction of straightforward amendments to the Land Act that would remove barriers to commitments already made five years ago in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.