Latest News

News Release
May 27, 2020

UBCIC Responds to Alberta Energy Minister’s Cavalier Commentary Regarding Ease of Building TMX During Pandemic

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – May 27, 2020) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) responded to Alberta Energy Minister Sonya Savage’s recent comments on the ease of building the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion project (TMX) during a pandemic because of limits on gatherings of more than 15 people in Alberta. The minister spoke on a podcast Friday, attributing the sluggish construction schedule to protest that was more effective than industry. 

OPEN LETTER: Call for Moratorium on Fracking Near Peace River Dams

Dear Minister Ralston, Minister Heyman, and Minister Donaldson:

We are writing with respect to the negligence and operation of oversights carried forth by BC Hydro in regard to their Peace River Dams, and we demand immediate action to address the fracking activities that pose unacceptable risks to these dams and the surrounding region.

Press Statement

May 5, 2020

Honouring National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls During COVID Pandemic

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – May 5, 2020) Today marks the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and, under normal circumstances, people across Canada would be preparing marches, demonstrations, and memorials for the lives lost to an ongoing crisis of systemic violence.

News Release
May 17, 2020

COVID-19 is no excuse for hate:
UBCIC demands stronger stand against racism

(xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, BC). – May 17, 2020) On the evening of May 15, Dakota Holmes, an Indigenous woman and an employee of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), was subjected to a racist attack while walking her dog. A white male physically and verbally attacked her, punching her in the face and yelling racist slurs about Asian people and COVID-19. The incident was prompted by a sneeze from Holmes, who experiences seasonal allergies.

May 6, 2020

Canadian mining company Pan American Silver is holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) today in Vancouver, with a small group of company insiders in the room and limited phone access for others. But despite the challenges of being heard, Guatemalan communities are raising serious questions about the company's acquisition of the Escobal mine with its 2019 purchase of Tahoe Resources and about social division the company is sowing by intervening in communities during the global health pandemic.

Submission to:
Ms. Karima Bennoune, Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights
Via email: srculturalrights@ohchr.org

May 1, 2020

Prepared by:

Indigenous Climate Action and the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs

INTRODUCTION:

Indigenous peoples living on Turtle Island in the area of Kanáta - Canada are diverse. With approximately 56 different languages, peoples and protocols, they anxiously and precariously defend their tangible and intangible cultural rights. The common struggle to all Indigenous peoples living in Canada remains the racist colonial Doctrines’^[1] persistent oppressive and assimilative laws and policies designed to dispossess Indigenous peoples from their Homelands and resources.

STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
April 29, 2020

Governments must respect First Nations Jurisdiction

(xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, BC): The First Nations Leadership Council is urging all levels of government, federal, provincial and municipal, to recognize and respect First Nations jurisdiction and decisions as they take actions to protect their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is critical for all levels of governments to include and work collaboratively with neighbouring First Nations in our collective efforts in the fight against COVID-19.

Statement
APRIL 24, 2020

FNLC OFFERS CONDOLENCES IN THE DEATH OF INFANT IN THE DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of an infant in the Vancouver Downtown Eastside earlier this week and sends sincerest and heartfelt condolences to the mother and all residents of the Downtown Eastside community during this time.