(Coast Salish Territory June 1, 2015)  The Union of BC Indian Chiefs has obtained records from an Access to Information (ATIP) request which indicate that, contrary to law, a Senior Federal Bureaucrat may have ordered the destruction of records relating to First Nations land claims.    The ATIP request pertained to records relating to Canada’s “expedited legal review process” of specific claims. This is a unilateral internal process that determines whether claims filed by a First Nation to the Federal Government will receive a comprehensive or an accelerated legal review and ultimately, whether they will be properly negotiated.

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, B.C. – May 20, 2015) As of September 30, 2015 the First Nations Social Development Society (FNSDS) will no longer have funding to support essential social programs for on-reserve social assistance programs.  

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.

(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.

March 25, 2015

Jim Pattison Group
Suite 1800-1067 West Cordova St.
Vancouver, BC V6C 1C7
Via facsimile: 604-687-2601

OPEN LETTER TO JIM PATTISON, CHAIRMAN & CEO OF THE JIM PATTISON GROUP

Dear Prime Minister Harper, Premier Clark, and Mrs. McDonald:

Enclosed, please find a copy of UBCIC Resolution 2015-14 “Support for Treaty 8 Tribal Leadership’s Opposition to Site C” which was presented, affirmed and endorsed unanimously by the UBCIC Chiefs Council on February 13th, 2015.