Statement
November 4, 2022

UBCIC Statement on the Passing of Chief Roger Adolph

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – November 4, 2022) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) offers our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the Adolph family and the people of St’at’imc Xaxli’p for the loss of Timicwus; Roger Adolph, prominent leader, former chief, and champion boxer. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends and all those who had the privilege to stand alongside him as he fought for Indigenous rights.

Chief Adolph was born in 1942 and is a survivor of the Williams Lake Residential School where he developed a love for boxing. After winning championships along the Pacific Coast in the US and Canada, he became discouraged by racist policies that prevented him from competing internationally. Despite this, Chief Adolph never stopped fighting. He served his community as Chief of Xaxli’p for 24 years from 1982 to 2006 where he was a Chief Negotiator. UBCIC remembers the important show of solidarity by Timicwus and Chief Butch Bob of Ts'kw'aylaxw First Nation, previously known as Pavilion Indian Band, when they erected a blockade on Highway 1 during the Oka Crisis in 1990. His strength, resilience and advocacy for our collective struggles for land rights and self-determination will continue to inspire us as we honour his voice, his advocacy and his legacy. We thank the St'at'imc, Xaxl'ip Peoples and the Adolph family for sharing Timicwus with us for these many years.

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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

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