Latest News

News Release

September 3, 2025

UBCIC Stands with Xatśūll First Nation in their Appeal to Overturn BCSC on Mount Polley Mine Dam Raise

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – September 3, 2025) Today, the Xatśūll First Nation filed an appeal with the B.C. Court of Appeal to overturn an August 6, 2025, decision of the B.C. Supreme Court. That decision upheld Provincial authorizations allowing Mount Polley Mining Corporation to raise the height of its tailings storage facility dam at the Mount Polley Mine without first conducting an environmental assessment. The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) supports the Xatśūll First Nation in exercising their inherent jurisdiction and right of self-determination over their territories and in launching this critical appeal.

News Release
August 22, 2025

UBCIC Acknowledges Landmark Cowichan Title Decision

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – August 22, 2025) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) acknowledges the historic Supreme Court of BC decision in Cowichan Tribes v. Canada, which on August 7, 2025, recognized Aboriginal title of Cowichan Tribes, Stz’uminus First Nation, Penelakut Tribe,  Halalt First Nation, and Lyackson First Nation to nearly 1,900 acres of lands in Richmond, including submerged shoreline.

News Release
August 18, 2025

UBCIC Stands with Survivors of St. Augustine’s Residential School Following Further Investigation by shíshálh

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – August 18, 2025) The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is deeply saddened by the disturbing results of the shíshálh Archaeological Research Project which details an additional 41 unmarked graves identified at the former St. Augustine’s Residential School. In 2023 shíshálh shared the results of their initial investigation which found 40 unmarked graves, bringing the community total to 81.

News Release
August 7, 2025

UBCIC Denounces Dismissal of Xatśūll First Nation’s Legal Challenge on Mount Polley Mine Expansion

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – August 7, 2025) The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is deeply disappointed in the B.C. Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss Xatśūll First Nation’s injunction and judicial review regarding the Mount Polley Mine tailings storage expansion.

News Release
August 6, 2025

UBCIC Mourns the Passing of Grand Chief Robert ‘Bob’ Pasco, Respected Nlaka’pamux Leader

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – August 6, 2025) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is deeply saddened to mark the passing of Grand Chief Robert ‘Bob’ Pasco, a beloved leader and lifelong advocate for the Nlaka’pamux Nation and Indigenous title and rights, whose decades of unwavering leadership, deep cultural knowledge, and principled commitment to justice left an indelible mark on Indigenous governance in British Columbia.

Statement
July 21, 2025

UBCIC Remembers and Celebrates Jennifer Gibson

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – July 21, 2025) The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) deeply mourns the loss of beloved UBCIC staff member Jennifer Gibson, who passed away on July 10, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

News Release
July 18, 2025

After Summit, UBCIC Gravely Concerned with Canada’s Shift Away from Consent and Environmental Protections

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – July 18, 2025) The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) participated in this week’s Canada- First Nations Summit hosted by the federal government on the so-called One Canada Economy Act (Bill C-5) on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabeg people. While government leaders spoke of collaboration and Indigenous partnership, the voices of Chiefs across the room made it clear: First Nations continue to be excluded from the decision-making processes that affect their lands, rights, and resources.

News Release
June 24, 2025

UBCIC Acknowledges Historic shíshálh Sentencing as a Step Toward Justice for Sacred Site Desecration

xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – June 24, 2025) On June 16, 2025, there was a historic court sentencing at the shíshálh longhouse. $230,000 in fines were issued for the 2020 disturbance of a sacred burial site containing 49 ancestors. The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) acknowledges this historic sentencing as an important step toward justice while recognizing that no penalty can undo the profound cultural and spiritual harm inflicted.