UBCIC Congratulates Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and All Recipients of the 2021 BC Reconciliation Award

News Release
April 27, 2021

UBCIC Congratulates Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and All Recipients of the 2021 BC Reconciliation Award

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – April 27, 2021) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) warmly congratulates UBCIC President Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and the eight other recipients of the inaugural British Columbia Reconciliation Award for their extraordinary leadership, courage, wisdom, and dedication in advancing reconciliation for Indigenous people in British Columbia.

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Civil Liberties, Indigenous Rights, and Community Groups Respond to BC Travel Restrictions Order

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Civil Liberties, Indigenous Rights, and Community Groups Respond to BC Travel Restrictions Order

VANCOUVER/ (Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) territories, April 23, 2021 – Civil Liberties, Indigenous and Community organizations are responding to the Travel Restrictions (COVID-19) Order announced by the BC Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth. The order made under BC’s Emergency Programs Act is already in effect and will be until May 25, however enforcement details have not been released. The order enables police and other enforcement officers to issue violation tickets in the amount of $575 to any person travelling into or out of health regions except for an essential purpose.

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PANDEMIC-FOCUSED PROVINCIAL BUDGET MISSES THE MARK ON CRITICAL FIRST NATIONS ITEMS

News Release
April 23, 2021

PANDEMIC-FOCUSED PROVINCIAL BUDGET MISSES THE MARK ON CRITICAL FIRST NATIONS ITEMS

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.)  The provincial government tabled its 2021 Budget on April 20th, under the title, “A Stronger BC, For Everyone,” with key investments addressing the immediate and long-term impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Some historic investments are planned, including a new Strategic Investment Fund, InBC, $500 million in funding towards mental health and addictions services, targeted investments to address the ongoing opioid crisis, and $45 million to respond to the recommendations of the In Plain Sight report on systemic anti-Indigenous racism in the healthcare system.

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The World is on Fire: UBCIC Calls for Strong Environmental Protections on Earth Day

Statement
April 22, 2021

The World is on Fire: UBCIC Calls for Strong Environmental Protections on Earth Day

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – April 22, 2021) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) calls on all people to commit to protecting Mother Earth and address climate change, today and every day. Further, we demand that provincial and federal governments take serious climate action including no further expansion of fossil fuel pipelines including the Trans Mountain expansion and Enbridge Line 3, and that both governments commit to meeting international climate targets.

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First Nations Leadership Council Sees Federal Budget as Step Forward

News Release
April 21, 2021

First Nations Leadership Council Sees Federal Budget as Step Forward

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is pleased to see the federal government pledge more than $18 billion towards closing gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and advancing reconciliation over the next five years. While we are still waiting to see the allocation of funds specifically for First Nations, this figure is a significant increase from the previous federal budget. The FNLC notes that this Liberal minority budget requires support from at least one major party, and otherwise will become a campaign platform.

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First Nations Leadership Council congratulates five Nuu-chah-nulth Nations for victorious BC Court of Appeal decision

News Release
April 20, 2020

First Nations Leadership Council congratulates five Nuu-chah-nulth Nations for victorious BC Court of Appeal decision

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, BC) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) are applauding five Nuu-chah-nulth Nations (the Ehattesaht, Hesquiaht, Mowachaht/Muchalaht, Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht) for their efforts leading to the April 19th BC Court of Appeal (BCCA) decision (Ahousaht v Canada, 2021 BCCA 155).

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OPEN LETTER: Call to Impose a Moratorium on B.C. Industrial Mink Farming to Transition from Fur Farming and to Address COVID-19 Health Risks and Animal Welfare Concerns

Honourable Lana Popham Minister of Agriculture
Honourable Adrian Dix Minister of Health
Honorable Katrine Conroy
Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
Honourable Ravi Kahlon Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
Honorable John Horgan
Premier of the Province of British Columbia

OPEN LETTER: Call to Impose a Moratorium on B.C. Industrial Mink Farming to Transition from Fur Farming and to Address COVID-19 Health Risks and Animal Welfare Concerns

Dear Premier and Ministers,

The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) writes to bring your attention to the significant concerns around the BC mink industry and, in solidarity with the many organizations and members of the public who oppose the mass breeding and farming of wildlife species for fur, call upon you to impose an immediate moratorium on industrial mink farming with committed actions to phase out fur farming.

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Moratorium on B.C. Industrial Mink Farming: Ending the Farming of Wild Animals for Luxury Products

News Release
April 6, 2021

Moratorium on B.C. Industrial Mink Farming: Ending the Farming of Wild Animals for Luxury Products

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – April 6, 2021) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) joins the BC SPCA and other advocates calling for a moratorium on mink farming in the province.

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