Latest News

Press Release
For Immediate Release
March 17, 2020

Canada Must Implement Clearer, Stronger Measures to Protect First Nations and all Canadians from the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic 

(xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl = ilwətaʔɬ/sel= ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, BC – Mar.17, 2020): The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) acknowledges the efforts underway in addressing the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19); however, we strongly urge the federal government to escalate its response and implement clearer, stronger, and quicker measures to support vulnerable First Nation and Canadian communities. Given the continuously evolving nature of COVID-19 and the systemic social and economic inequalities that will leave Indigenous populations and other marginalized communities more susceptible to the disease, Canada must immediately move beyond social-distancing measures.

Press Release
For Immediate Release
March 13, 2020

FNLC Urges Coordinated and Joint Action in Dealing with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic

(xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl= ilwətaʔɬ/sel= ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, BC – Mar.13, 2020): The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) urges the federal and provincial governments and First Nations to take every precaution and prepare for the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic that has spread throughout the world and Canada.

RE: Cancellation of March 12 Afternoon and March 13 Sessions

March 12, 2020

After careful consideration of prevailing medical guidance, the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is cancelling the remaining sessions of the All Chiefs’ Meeting on Shared Territories and Overlaps due to the increasing risks associated with COVID-19.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wet’suwet’en, BCCLA, and UBCIC Release Explosive Letter Revealing BC Solicitor General Authorizing RCMP Deployment, Contradicting Public Statements

VANCOUVER/ (Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) territories, March 6, 2020 – Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs, BC Civil Liberties Association and Union of BC Indian Chiefs are releasing a letter dated January 27, 2020 from BC Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth to RCMP Deputy Commissioner Jennifer Strachan.

News Release
February 23, 2020

Teck Withdraws Frontier Mine Proposal Amidst a Volatile Oil Market Forced to Respond to the Climate Emergency

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – February 23, 2020) Tonight, Teck Resources Ltd. made the stunning announcement that it has withdrawn its proposal for the Frontier Oilsands Mine, which would have been the largest open pit oilsands mine in Canada. The announcement came days before Canada was set to make a decision on the project, and in the middle of a protracted and tense national crisis over the proposed Coastal Gaslink pipeline in unceded Wet’suwet’en territory.

Media Statement
February 21, 2020

UBCIC Supports Indigenous Land Defense and  Acknowledges CPR Joining Call for Trudeau to meet Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Leadership

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – February 21, 2020) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) recognizes the Canadian Pacific Railway’s (CPR) honourable conduct in relation to Secwepemcul’ecw Land Defenders who occupied part of the railway yesterday. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC President, stated “CPR chose direct and respectful engagement with Secwepemcul’ecw Land Defenders instead of calling for an injunction that would have resulted in arrests.  In a letter released today, CPR supported the Wet’suwet’en in their request for dialogue with Prime Minister Trudeau and called upon Trudeau to immediately fulfill this request. We hope Trudeau listens to this call and responds accordingly instead of repeatedly calling for ‘the barricades to come down’ when he knows full well that this could incite violence.”

February 19, 2020

MEDIA ADVISORY OF PRESS CONFERENCE: Wet’suwet’en, BCCLA and UBCIC Release CRCC Chairperson Response Regarding RCMP Exclusion Zone

WHAT: Citing significant public interest in the matter, the Chairperson of the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) for the RCMP, Michelaine Lahaie, has issued a response to Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs, Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and BC Civil Liberties Association’s call for an investigation regarding the improper and unlawful actions of the RCMP in in Wet’suwet’en territory. The hard-hitting response by Michelaine Lahaie will be released to the media and addressed by the speakers.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Civil Liberties and Human Rights Complainants Oppose VPD Street Check Recommendations; Disagree with Key Findings of Street Check Review

February 18, 2020, Vancouver – The BC Civil Liberties Association, Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and Black Lives Matter-Vancouver are highly concerned about the key findings of a Vancouver Police Board Street Check Review. The groups are also opposed to the resulting recommendations going to the Vancouver Police Board meeting this week.