UBCIC Statement
January 7, 2020
Wet’suwet’en Jurisdiction and Governance Must be Upheld
((Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – January 7, 2020) On December 31, 2019, the BC Supreme Court granted an injunction against members of the Wet’suwet’en Nation who have been defending their sovereign and unceded territories from the impacts of resource extraction projects, including a proposed 670-km long liquified natural gas pipeline. The Hereditary Chiefs of all five Wet’suwet’en clans rejected the Court’s decision and issued an eviction notice.
The UBCIC Chiefs Council fully supports the efforts of Indigenous Nations to ensure that their inherent Title and Rights are unconditionally recognized and upheld. As directed by Resolution 2019-07, we reiterate our call upon the governments of Canada and B.C. to honour the S.C.C.’s precedent-setting Delgamuukw case which confirmed that Wet’suwet’en Title and Rights have never been extinguished. Further, we fully expect B.C. to uphold the new provincial legislation that applies the United Nations Declaration on the Right of Indigenous Peoples to B.C. laws. Free, prior and informed consent of the proper Title and Rights holders impacted must be achieved prior to the approval of any project affecting their land, territories and other resources. We encourage organizations, advocates, and members of the public to participate in the solidarity actions that are planned: https://www.facebook.com/events/s/international-call-to-solidari/3117435991815112/.
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Media inquiries:
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of UBCIC: (250-490-5314)
Chief Don Tom, Vice-President of UBCIC: (604-290-6083)
Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, Secretary-Treasurer of UBCIC: (250-320-7738)
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.