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(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver) On November 20, 2017, the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, addressed the Symposium on Implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Priorities, Partnerships, and Next Steps, formally announcing Canada’s support of Private Member’s Bill C-262.

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, B.C. – October 16, 2017) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs stands with the National Claims Research Directors in condemnation of Bill C-58, which will install massive new barriers for Indigenous Nations trying to access information for land claims and other purposes. The UBCIC supports the Directors’ call for the withdrawal of the bill and for full and meaningful engagement with Indigenous Nations regarding any legislative change on this issue. 

Dear Members of the Standing Committee,

Please accept this submission and attachments by the National Claims Research Directors pertaining to your review of Bill C-58, amendments to reform Canada’s Access to Information Act. Our submission outlines our grave concerns about the content of Bill C-58 and provides reasons why we strongly oppose the bill as currently drafted.

The BC Utility Commission’s interim report on the Site C megaproject – released on Wednesday – provides further proof that the federal and provincial governments acted irresponsibly when they granted approval for construction of the massively destructive dam.

(Coast Salish Territory / Vancouver, BC) We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Simon Lucas.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples provides a crucial framework to achieve reconciliation. Such a human rights-­‐based approach is essential to address the racism and discrimination that has caused such profound harm to Indigenous peoples in Canada and around the world.  Violations include uprooting Indigenous peoples from their territories and resources, failure to honour Treaties, tearing Indigenous children from their families, and making Indigenous women, girls and two-­‐ spirited people the targets of unimaginable violence.

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, B.C. – September 7, 2017) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs congratulates the Huu-ay-aht First Nation on achieving final resolution of its logging rights specific claim. On September 5, Canada withdrew its application for judicial review of the Specific Claims Tribunal’s decision to award $13.9 million in compensation to the Huu-ay-aht First Nation. Canada has also announced its intention to work collaboratively with Indigenous Peoples to overhaul the specific claims policy and process such that they fully recognize Indigenous rights and reflect a reconciliation-based approach. 

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver - August 31, 2017) BC must begin its transition from dangerously reckless open net-pen fish farms to the safety of land-based closed containment aquaculture.