News Release

September 3, 2025

UBCIC Stands with Xatśūll First Nation in their Appeal to Overturn BCSC on Mount Polley Mine Dam Raise

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – September 3, 2025) Today, the Xatśūll First Nation filed an appeal with the B.C. Court of Appeal to overturn an August 6, 2025, decision of the B.C. Supreme Court. That decision upheld Provincial authorizations allowing Mount Polley Mining Corporation to raise the height of its tailings storage facility dam at the Mount Polley Mine without first conducting an environmental assessment. The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) supports the Xatśūll First Nation in exercising their inherent jurisdiction and right of self-determination over their territories and in launching this critical appeal.

“The Xatśūll First Nation has been crystal clear that they did not provide their free, prior, and informed consent for B.C. to bypass an environmental assessment and approve raising the height of the tailings pond dam at Mount Polley Mine,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC President. “UBCIC is deeply concerned that the Province has dismissed Xatśūll First Nation’s concerns, circumvented its jurisdiction, and ignored their basic inherent and human rights, all of which is in opposition to their legislative commitments to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

“The August 6^th decision set an extremely dangerous precedent of ignoring Indigenous rights and jurisdiction and fast-tracking resource projects—exactly what First Nations have been alarmed about with the recent passage of Bill 14 Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) Act and Bill 15 Infrastructure Projects Act. We are honoured to be standing with the Xatśūll First Nation, who are at the front lines of defending title and rights, with this appeal.”

For further information, please read Xatśūll First Nation’s release here, and read UBCIC’s release regarding the August 6 decision here.

-30-

Media inquiries:
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President, 250-490-5314

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

Download PDF