Latest News

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, B.C. – May 14, 2015) – The BC Assembly of First Nations, First Nations Summit and Union of BC Indian Chiefs fully support the findings of the Representative for Children and Youth, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond’s report Paige’s Story: Abuse, Indifference and a Young Life Discarded.

Adam E. Thompson, Committee Clerk
National Security and Defence Senate Committee
Senate of Canada
Tel: 1-613-990-6160
Fax: 1-613-947-2104

RE: UBCIC OPEN LETTER REGARDING BILL C-51: ANTI-TERRORISM ACT, 2015

Dear National Security and Defence Senate Committee,

We are writing to inform you of our deep concerns regarding Bill C-51 Anti-terrorism Act, 2015. The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is an Indigenous political advocacy organization representing over 100 First Nations in British Columbia and we stand strongly in opposition to Bill C-51. The proposed Bill completely sweeps aside and fundamentally undermines our rights as Indigenous Peoples to exercise, assert and defend our inherent Aboriginal Title, Rights and Treaty Rights. Let us remind you, these inherent rights are judicially and constitutionally recognized and Bill C-51 completely disregards the Canadian Constitution Act and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

April 22, 2015

Dear Minister Valcourt,

The First Nations Social Development Society (FNSDS) and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) are writing to request that you investigate and intervene in the decision by AANDC-BC to cease support for Persons with Disability on Reserve and support for on-reserve income assistance support for all 203 First Nations in BC. FNSDS has been providing these vital services to First Nations communities for over 10 years. Further, we are writing to request that you immediately reinstate and enhance all service funding to FNSDS along with new provisions which allow FNSDS to have secured funding for the next 2 years.

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, B.C. – April 21, 2015)  The Union of BC Indian Chiefs is deeply honoured to congratulate Xeni Gwet’in Councillor Marilyn Baptiste, in winning the 2015 Goldman Environmental Prize for her leadership in defeating one of the largest proposed gold and copper mines in British Columbia which would have destroyed Teztan Biny (Fish Lake), a source of spiritual rejuvenation, identity and livelihood for the Xeni Gwet’in. 

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, B.C. – April 15, 2015)  Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs declared to the Chiefs and supporters currently occupying Premier Christy Clark’s constituency office in West Kelowna “WE SUPPORT YOU!”

Joint Press Statement

(April 14, 2015 - Coast Salish Territory)  In a transparent attempt to prop up earlier statements by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister Bernard Valcourt, RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson stated last week that 70 per cent of the Aboriginal women who are murdered in Canada are murdered by Aboriginal men.  

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver – April 2nd, 2015) – Special Ministerial Representative Douglas Eyford released his report on renewing Canada’s Comprehensive Land Claims Policy today in the shadow of the BC Government’s recent abandonment of the impending appointment of George Abbott as Chief Commissioner to the BC Treaty Commission.  The report provides a comprehensive analysis of Canada’s position with respect to treaty making in Canada.  It provides a thorough historical perspective of the treaty arrangements in Canada as well as providing 43 recommendations with respect implementing a “new direction” or a “new reconciliation framework” with First Nations.

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver - March 30, 2015) – The BC Assembly of First Nations, First Nations Summit and Union of BC Indian Chiefs are expressing full support for the Heiltsuk First Nation in their complete opposition to a commercial roe herring fishery in 2015 due to ongoing conservation concerns for herring in their territory.