Statement
April 22, 2021

The World is on Fire: UBCIC Calls for Strong Environmental Protections on Earth Day

((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – April 22, 2021) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) calls on all people to commit to protecting Mother Earth and address climate change, today and every day. Further, we demand that provincial and federal governments take serious climate action including no further expansion of fossil fuel pipelines including the Trans Mountain expansion and Enbridge Line 3, and that both governments commit to meeting international climate targets.

Since time immemorial, First Nation communities have effectively protected and cared for the lands, waters, and air while exercising a relationship rooted in reciprocity, restoration, and collaboration with the Earth. The UBCIC will continue working to ensure that First Nations can exercise their inherent jurisdiction and advance their Title and Rights in the struggle to mitigate the climate emergency. All levels of government must collaborate with Indigenous people to join our traditional knowledge with the best available science to inform our approach to climate action. First Nations are invested in securing the ecosystem health and stability for generations to come, in line with the inherent responsibilities stemming from our legal orders, and Canada and BC must take collaborative action to further this key priority.

UBCIC marks Earth Day by calling attention to the urgency required to respond to the climate crisis effectively and proactively, and to protect and care for the lands, waters and air. We call on the federal government to end subsidies to the fossil fuel sector and commit to phasing out the extraction and use of fossil fuels. We call on the provincial and federal governments to support the capacity of Indigenous Title and Rights holders to participate in developing the policies necessary to reduce the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions by 40-60% by 2030 from 2010 levels.

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Media inquiries:

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President, 250-490-5314
Chief Don Tom, Vice-President, 250-813-3315
Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, Secretary-Treasurer, c/o 604-842-2977

UBCIC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. For more information please visit www.ubcic.bc.ca

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