NEWS RELEASE

Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
First Nations Leadership Council

Nearly $200 million transferred to new First Nations revenue-sharing body

VICTORIA - This month, eligible First Nations in B.C. will start signing up to receive their share of new revenue that will support self-government and self-determination, strong, healthy communities and services that make life better for families.

News Release
August 2 2019

UBCIC Supports the Gitanyow in their Appeal and Calls for
All First Nations’ Rights to be Respected Equally

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, B.C. – August 2, 2019) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is applying for leave to the BC Court of Appeal to intervene in a critical case being advanced by the Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs. In the case under appeal, Gamlaxyeltxw v. British Columbia (Minister of Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations), the Hereditary Chiefs continue to defend the Aboriginal title and rights of the Gitanyow people.

News Release

July 29, 2019

UBCIC Calls on the Government of BC to uphold Tsilhqot’in Rights and protect Teẑtan Biny and Yanah Biny

(Coast Salish Territory / Vancouver, B.C. – July 29, 2019) For over two decades the Tsilhqot’in have battled to keep Taseko Mines Ltd. (TML) from destroying Teẑtan Biny and Yanah Biny with TML’s plan to create an open pit mine on a place of profound cultural and spiritual significance. Both TML and TNG have filed injunctions in B.C. Supreme Court and are in court today and tomorrow.

July 4, 2019

Dear Mr. Matiation,

The BC Specific Claims Working Group (BCSCWG) writes today to present its follow-up report Canada’s Conduct at the Specific Claims Tribunal and the Need for Reform which analyzes First Nations’ feedback on Canada’s behaviour at the Tribunal and argues that the challenges with Canada’s conduct at this body are a result of institutionalized and systemic bias that exists across specific claims processes as a whole.

July 4, 2019

Assembly of First Nations

OPEN LETTER: Capacity and Accessibility at the 2019 AFN AGA

Dear National Chief Bellegarde and Executive Committee,

The upcoming AFN’s Annual General Assembly (AGA) in the Fredericton, New Brunswick on July 23-25 presents an invaluable opportunity for discussion, dialogue, and strategic planning that the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is looking forward to participating in.

News Release 

For Immediate Release
June 20^th, 2019

FNLC DEMANDS FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE IN MCFD TREATMENT OF FIRST NATIONS CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Coast Salish Traditional Territory/Vancouver: The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is disturbed by the findings in an Auditor General report released today, which found that the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) has failed to protect the lives and the rights of First Nations children and youth in their care.

News Release
June 18, 2019

Canada Approves TMX Despite Failing to Achieve Consent: Declaration of Climate Emergency Rings Hollow

(Traditional and unceded territories of the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)- June 18, 2019) - In spite of today’s federal cabinet approval of the controversial project, Indigenous leaders from across BC remain staunchly opposed to the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion (TMX) and have vowed that it will never get built.  The federal government was forced to redo consultation with First Nations after a unanimous Federal Court of Appeal quashed a 2016 approval “falling well below the mark” on meaningful consultation set by the Supreme Court of Canada.

MEDIA ADVISORY OF PRESS CONFERENCE: Indigenous leadership in BC will respond to Canada’s decision on TMX, joined by Mayor Kennedy Stewart

WHAT:Canada will announce their decision today regarding the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion project.  Indigenous leadership in BC opposed to the pipeline expansion will hold a press conference to respond. 

FIRST NATIONS LEADERSHIP COUNCIL AND THE BC FEDERATION OF LABOUR

        JOINT NEWS RELEASE

June 10, 2019

Conservative Senators’ Filibustering Threatens the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) and the BC Federation of Labour (BCFED) are deeply frustrated by recent attempts to filibuster and delay 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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Indigenous leaders, community groups, students rally against Trans Mountain pipeline ahead of cabinet decision

9 June 2019, Unceded Coast Salish Territory, (VANCOUVER, BC) — With little over a week left until the federal government makes its decision on the Trans Mountain pipeline and tanker project, Indigenous leaders and [add estimate number] supporters gathered in Vancouver to send a message to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet. Despite opposition from First Nations along the pipeline and tanker route, as well as the absurdity of building new fossil fuel infrastructure in a climate crisis, the federal government is expected to once again approve the pipeline.