No Time to Spare: B.C.’s Old Growth Action Plan Highlights the Critical Importance of Saving Ancient Trees
For Immediate Release:
No Time to Spare: B.C.’s Old Growth Action Plan Highlights the Critical Importance of Saving Ancient Trees
May 22, 2024
səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), and Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Territories (Vancouver, BC) – Yesterday the Province released its Old Growth Action Plan, “From Review to Action.” The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) and Stand.earth are calling on Premier David Eby to immediately issue emergency logging bans in the most at-risk old growth forests, and to align all sectors with the Old Growth Strategic Review.
Read moreUBCIC Celebrates the Monumental Passing of Legislation Recognizing Haida Aboriginal Title
News Release
May 16, 2024
UBCIC Celebrates the Monumental Passing of Legislation Recognizing Haida Aboriginal Title
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – May 16, 2024) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is honoured to celebrate and be witness to the passing of the Haida Nation Recognition Amendment Act (“the Act”), which is now law recognizing the Haida Nation’s Aboriginal title throughout Haida Gwaii. For the first time a Crown government has recognized Aboriginal title through legislation, protecting fee-simple interests while affirming the inherent and constitutionally protected title, rights, and jurisdiction of the Haida Nation.
Read moreFNLC Calls for Action on Red Dress Day, National MMIWG2S+ Awareness Day
News Release
May 5, 2024
FNLC Calls for Action on Red Dress Day, National MMIWG2S+ Awareness Day
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) remembers and honours missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples (MMIWG2S+) today on Red Dress Day.
Read moreUBCIC Calls for Respect of Rights, Dignity and Robust Supports for Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit+ Victims, Survivors and Families
FNLC Calls Out Opposition Parties’ Baseless and Harmful Critiques of Bill Recognizing Haida Aboriginal Title
News Release
May 1, 2024
FNLC Calls Out Opposition Parties’ Baseless and Harmful Critiques of Bill Recognizing Haida Aboriginal Title
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) condemns inflammatory and inaccurate comments made by the B.C. United and Conservative Party of B.C. about Bill 25, the Haida Nation Recognition Amendment Act, 2024, that appear designed to instill fear and create division.
Read moreToxic Drug Crisis Disproportionately Impacting Indigenous Peoples Calls for Emergency Joint Response
News Release
April 30, 2024
Toxic Drug Crisis Disproportionately Impacting Indigenous Peoples Calls for Emergency Joint Response
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) Last week the Province of B.C. released an update on their 3-year decriminalization pilot project announcing intentions for increased tools for law enforcement, increased tools for health service providers, and increased services for people struggling with addiction. The First Nations Leadership Council and the BC First Nations Justice Council stand with all families and communities who have lost loved ones to the toxic drug crisis and call for an emergency cross-governmental and multilateral strategy to be co-developed that will ensure the safety of each and every member of the public, including people who use drugs.
Read moreLeadership Council Joins Calls for Public Inquiry into RCMP Deaths of Indigenous Peoples After Charges Dropped Against Jared Lowndes’ Killers
News Release
April 29, 2024
Leadership Council Joins Calls for Public Inquiry into RCMP Deaths of Indigenous Peoples After Charges Dropped Against Jared Lowndes’ Killers
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is outraged that the RCMP continue evading charges for killing First Nations people, and is joining calls for a public inquiry into this crisis.
Read moreFNLC Appalled by BC Prosecution Services Failure to Seek Justice for Jared Lowndes
News Release
April 24, 2024
FNLC Appalled by BC Prosecution Services Failure to Seek Justice for Jared Lowndes
(Xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is shocked and angered to learn that the BC Prosecution Service will not be pursuing charges on three RCMP officers responsible for the killing of Jared Lowndes, a member of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation, in Campbell River on July 8, 2021. In 2022, the Independent Investigations Office recommended charges against the three officers involved, stating "reasonable grounds exist to believe that three officers may have committed offences in relation to various uses of force.
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