Latest News

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.

News Release 
April 22, 2024

FNLC Celebrates Introduction of Legislation recognizing Haida Nation Title

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is honoured to witness today’s introduction of Bill 25 (the Haida Nation Recognition Amendment Act), in the B.C. Legislature. When passed, the Act will see the Province recognize the Haida Nation’s Aboriginal title throughout Haida Gwaii.

News Release
April 22, 2024

UBCIC Calls for Action at the 23^rd UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – April 22, 2024) Last week, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs attended the 23^rd United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in the Lenape Territory/New York City. This year’s theme was enhancing Indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (U.N. Declaration), emphasizing the voices of Indigenous Youth.

News Release

April 15, 2024

UBCIC Uplifting Youth at the 23^rd UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

(Lenape Territory/NYC, NY – April 15, 2024) The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs is honoured to join Indigenous peoples from around the world this week at the United Nations headquarters in New York City for the 23rd Session of the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). This year’s theme is enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration), emphasizing the voices of Indigenous youth.

News Release
April 11, 2024

UBCIC Stands with ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ (Ahousaht) First Nation on Release of Phase 1 Report on Residential School Research and Scanning

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – April 11, 2024) Yesterday, ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ (Ahousaht) First Nation announced the Phase 1 results of ʔahʔiiḥčp ʔukʷiłʔiqḥmuut (Honouring our Ancient Ones) Residential School Research Project. Their careful, in depth research into two Indian residential schools located within their territories has detailed likely and potential unmarked grave locations at the Ahousaht Indian Residential School and the Christie Indian Residential School, as well as unknown features that require further investigation.

News Release 
April 6, 2024 

FNLC Outraged BC Prosecution Services Stay Manslaughter  Charges in the Dale Culver Case

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is furious at the BC Prosecution Service’s (BCPS) decision to stay manslaughter charges against constables Paul Ste-Marie and Jean Francois Monette, RCMP officers involved in the arrest and death of Dale Culver in Prince George on July 18, 2017.

“There is no justice”: family of Dale Culver appalled as Crown drops charges against RCMP officers responsible for his death

LHEIDLI T'ENNEH (PRINCE GEORGE) – Grieving relatives of a Wet’suwet’en man killed by RCMP officers are warning other families after constables Paul Sainte-Marie and Jean-Francois Monette walked free on Friday. Crown prosecutors announced a stay of charges, ending the prosecution of the two officers in Dale Culver’s death.

News Release

April 2, 2024

UBCIC Strongly Condemns Residential School Denialism Being Advanced at Municipal Level

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – April 2, 2024) The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) stands with the Lhtako Dene Nation and is angered, disgusted and deeply disturbed that the Quesnel Mayor’s wife has been distributing a book promoting residential school denialism.