OPEN LETTER: Federal Support Urgently Needed in Addressing Homelessness
OPEN LETTER: Federal Support Urgently Needed in Addressing Homelessness
Dear Minister Hussen, Prime Minister Trudeau, and Deputy Prime Minister Freeland,
We are writing to request immediate federal funding to address the short and long-term housing insecurity and the safety needs of people experiencing homelessness in Vancouver. Crucially, those residing in encampments such as Camp KT, a significant proportion of whom are Indigenous, need urgent and sustained relief.
Read moreCivil Liberties and Indigenous Rights Groups Call on CRCC to Immediately Take Conduct of Investigation into Wet’suwet’en Land Defender’s Police Complaint
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Civil Liberties and Indigenous Rights Groups Call on CRCC to Immediately Take Conduct of Investigation into Wet’suwet’en Land Defender’s Police Complaint
VANCOUVER/ (Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) territories, August 27, 2020 –BC Civil Liberties Association and Union of BC Indian Chiefs are calling on the Chairperson of the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP (CRCC) to immediately take charge of the investigation of a Wet’suwet’en land defender’s police complaint.
Read moreUBCIC Remembers Renowned Nisg̱a’a Leader and Trailblazer Joseph Gosnell
Statement
August 18, 2020
UBCIC Remembers Renowned Nisg̱a’a Leader and Trailblazer Joseph Gosnell
((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – August 18, 2020) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Joseph Gosnell after his long-fought battle with cancer. An admired politician, treaty negotiator and incomparable leader of the Nisga’a Nation, UBCIC mourns the loss of not only an incredible pioneer of Indigenous Title and Rights, but a loving father who leaves behind seven children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We offer our deepest condolences to his wife of 64 years, Audrey Adele, his family, friends, and community members.
Read moreFirst Nations Leaders Declare Collapse of Pacific Sockeye
News Release
For Immediate Release
August 18, 2020
First Nations Leaders Declare Collapse of Pacific Sockeye
(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.— Aug. 18, 2020) — Due to catastrophic decline in stocks, the First Nations Leadership Council is calling on Bernadette Jordan, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, to issue an emergency order to close all sockeye fisheries on the Fraser River.
“Fisheries and Oceans recently put the estimated return of sockeye to the Fraser at 283,000. This is the lowest return in my lifetime, and probably the lowest in history,” said BC Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Terry Teegee. “Ten years ago, the Cohen Commission was looking into sockeye decline when we had over a million fish returning. The federal government has clearly not taken this situation seriously – this is a non-partisan issue. Minister Jordan needs to declare this stock collapsed and issue an emergency order to close all sockeye fisheries. We don’t have any more time,” he continued.
Read moreNotice of certification and proposed settlement in Robert Riley Saunders Class Action
August 6th, 2020
NOTICE TO BC FIRST NATIONS
RE: Notice of certification and proposed settlement in Robert Riley Saunders Class Action
Dear Chiefs and Leaders,
On July 14, 2020, the Riley Saunders class action was certified in BC Supreme Court and a proposed settlement agreement, pending court approval, was reached on behalf of all victims of disgraced former social worker Robert Riley Saunders. As this information may impact some of your community members, we kindly request that you assist in sharing this information broadly to ensure all victims are notified.
Read moreRights Groups Call for Names of VPD Officers Engaged in Misconduct during Street Check Review Ride-alongs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rights Groups Call for Names of VPD Officers Engaged in Misconduct during Street Check Review Ride-alongs
August 6, 2020, (Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, BC) - BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA), Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), and Hogan’s Alley Society are releasing a second letter from the provincial Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) regarding the UBCIC and BCCLA’s complaint regarding the Vancouver Police Department’s practice of street checks.
Read moreThe Darwyn Danesh Memorial Fund
Dear UBCIC Chiefs Council and friends,
We are writing to share the sad news that long-time UBCIC friend and legal counsel Roshan Danesh, has just lost his son. Darwyn Danesh was born on May 15, 2004 and passed on July 22, 2020 at the young age of 16 years old. Darwyn was a happy and engaged youth who enjoyed going to school, going on long drives, and chocolate milkshakes. He lived with Downs Syndrome and autism as well as a chronic heart condition. He is survived by Roshan, Cathy (mom) and Mary (older sister).
Read moreMedia Advisory of Press Conference: Bill 22 Stands to Increase the Opioid Crisis and Youth Deaths; Bill 22 Must be Withdrawn
WHAT: The Union of BC Indian Chiefs, Health Justice, and BC Civil Liberties Association are hosting a press conference urging the provincial government to withdraw Bill 22. Bill 22 proposes amendments to BC’s Mental Health Act to create a new form of detention and involuntary health care in BC for youth who have experienced an overdose.
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