Latest News

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Open Letter to National Chief Perry Bellegarde
Correct the Public Record: Chiefs Committee Has Not Endorsed AFN Plan for Policy Reform  

National Chief Perry Bellegarde
Assembly of First Nations
1600-55 Metcalfe Street
Ottawa, Ontario  K1P 6L5
March 18, 2019

Dear National Chief Bellegarde,

We are writing to insist that you immediately issue a public correction to an erroneous statement you made regarding an Assembly of First Nations’ Chiefs Committee’s position on proposed reforms of four key policies.

March 18, 2019

The Honorable George Heyman

Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
PO Box 9047, Station Prov Gov
Victoria, BC V8W 9E2

Via Email: [email protected]

The Honorable Michelle Mungall
Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
PO Box 9060, Station Prov Gov
Victoria, BC, V8W 9E2
Via Email: [email protected]

Open Letter: UBCIC Urges BC to Address the Risks Orphan Gas and Oil Wells Pose to the Environment and Welfare of Citizens and First Nations

Dear Minister Heyman and Minister Mungall,

In light of Auditor General’s Report on The BC Oil and Gas Commission’s Management of Non-Operating Oil and Gas Sites, it has become apparent that the burgeoning oil and gas industry in this province continues to pose unacceptable risks to the environment and the well-being of British Columbian residents, including First Nations Peoples.

March 18, 2019
Senators of Canada
The Senate of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A4

OPEN LETTER RE: Support for the Immediate Passing of Bill C-262

Dear Senators,

The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is calling on each Senator of Canada to support the passage of Bill C-262, An Act to ensure that the laws of Canada are in harmony with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, without delay.

March 14, 2019

Senators of Canada
The Senate of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A4

OPEN LETTER RE. Support for the Immediate Passing of Bill C-262

Dear Senators,

The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is calling on each Senator of Canada to pass Bill C-262, An Act to ensure that the laws of Canada are in harmony with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, without delay.

News Release
March 12, 2019

UBCIC Demands Fair, Equal Compensation for Day Scholars

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, B.C. – March 12, 2019) A legacy of trauma and devastation inflicted upon Indigenous culture and language continues to be brushed aside by the Canadian government in its refusal to treat Day School survivors on terms equal to other Indian Residential School survivors. Day Scholars attended federally owned and operated Residential Schools during the day and returned home at night, and it is Canada’s obligation and duty, as outlined in Article 8.2 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, to provide redress for “any form of forced assimilation or integration” and any actions that deprived Indigenous people of their cultural values or ethnic identities.

STATEMENT
March 11, 2019

First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) saddened by
death of former Indigenous Youth Intern in air disaster   

Coast Salish Traditional Territory/Vancouver:  The First Nations Leadership Council is very saddened to hear of the passing of Micah Messent in yesterday’s Ethiopian Airlines disaster, that resulted in the 157 deaths, including 18 Canadians.

News Release
March 11, 2019

UBCIC Recognizes Opioid Crisis as “A State of Emergency”

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, B.C. – March 11, 2019) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is demanding action by BC Premier John Horgan, Attorney General David Eby, and Minister of Finance Carole James, as well as Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Judy Darcy, on the escalating opioid crisis that is devastating First Nations communities in BC.