Press Release
November 17, 2022

UBCIC Marks Premier John Horgan’s Five Years of Leadership, Renews Calls to NDP Government

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – November 17, 2022) On Honourable John Horgan’s last day as Premier of BC, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) acknowledges his leadership and looks to the BC NDP and premier-designate David Eby to carry forward the work of reconciliation and full recognition of Indigenous Title and Rights.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC President, stated “The joint development and 2019 passage of the BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act would not have been possible without the leadership of John Horgan. We are grateful to Premier Horgan for working with us, instead of against us, on this monumental and historic piece of legislation for Indigenous rights, and for providing us with a framework that will be essential in holding future governments accountable to our rights as Indigenous peoples. We enjoyed and fully supported Premier Horgan’s leadership and appreciated his ability to bring people together and truly connect with First Nations communities. Although we were not able to agree on critical issues such as the Province’s ongoing expansion of LNG and green lighting of Site C, and how to conserve old growth, we remain proud of the joint work that we were able to accomplish.”

"During his leadership term, Premier Horgan and his government were tasked with supporting British Columbians and overcoming the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the overdose crisis, housing crisis, increased levels of domestic violence and racism, and intensifying climate crisis,” stated Chief Don Tom, UBCIC Vice-President. “I thank Premier Horgan for his efforts under extremely challenging circumstances and call for the NDP to go further in enacting justice and police reform and providing support to our society’s disenfranchised and most vulnerable who have been pushed further into poverty and precarity over the last several years.”

Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, UBCIC Secretary-Treasurer, concluded “Premier Horgan has effectively set the stage for a new era for the relationships between the Province and First Nations, and we look forward to continued advancements with incoming premier-designate David Eby. Premier Horgan understood the intersecting, multi-generational and deep-felt impacts of colonialism on Indigenous peoples and the need to address across every sector and it is this global approach that must be continued through joint work and full respect for our inherent Title and Rights.”

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Media inquiries:

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President, 250-490-5314
Chief Don Tom, Vice-President, 604-290-6083
Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, Secretary-Treasurer, c/o 778-866-0548

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