Latest News

News Release 
May 1, 2024

FNLC Calls Out Opposition Parties’ Baseless and Harmful Critiques of Bill Recognizing Haida Aboriginal Title

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) condemns inflammatory and inaccurate comments made by the B.C. United and Conservative Party of B.C. about Bill 25, the Haida Nation Recognition Amendment Act, 2024, that appear designed to instill fear and create division. 

News Release 

April 30, 2024

Toxic Drug Crisis Disproportionately Impacting Indigenous Peoples Calls for Emergency Joint Response

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) Last week the Province of B.C. released an update on their 3-year decriminalization pilot project announcing intentions for increased tools for law enforcement, increased tools for health service providers, and increased services for people struggling with addiction. The First Nations Leadership Council and the BC First Nations Justice Council stand with all families and communities who have lost loved ones to the toxic drug crisis and call for an emergency cross-governmental and multilateral strategy to be co-developed that will ensure the safety of each and every member of the public, including people who use drugs.

News Release 

April 29, 2024

Leadership Council Joins Calls for Public Inquiry into RCMP Deaths of Indigenous Peoples After Charges Dropped Against Jared Lowndes’ Killers

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is outraged that the RCMP continue evading charges for killing First Nations people, and is joining calls for a public inquiry into this crisis.

News Release
April 24, 2024

FNLC Appalled by BC Prosecution Services Failure to Seek Justice for Jared Lowndes

(Xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is shocked and angered to learn that the BC Prosecution Service will not be pursuing charges on three RCMP officers responsible for the killing of Jared Lowndes, a member of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation, in Campbell River on July 8, 2021. In 2022, the Independent Investigations Office recommended charges against the three officers involved, stating "reasonable grounds exist to believe that three officers may have committed offences in relation to various uses of force.

News Release 
April 22, 2024

FNLC Celebrates Introduction of Legislation recognizing Haida Nation Title

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is honoured to witness today’s introduction of Bill 25 (the Haida Nation Recognition Amendment Act), in the B.C. Legislature. When passed, the Act will see the Province recognize the Haida Nation’s Aboriginal title throughout Haida Gwaii.

News Release
April 22, 2024

UBCIC Calls for Action at the 23^rd UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – April 22, 2024) Last week, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs attended the 23^rd United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in the Lenape Territory/New York City. This year’s theme was enhancing Indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (U.N. Declaration), emphasizing the voices of Indigenous Youth.

News Release

April 15, 2024

UBCIC Uplifting Youth at the 23^rd UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

(Lenape Territory/NYC, NY – April 15, 2024) The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs is honoured to join Indigenous peoples from around the world this week at the United Nations headquarters in New York City for the 23rd Session of the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). This year’s theme is enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration), emphasizing the voices of Indigenous youth.

News Release
April 11, 2024

UBCIC Stands with ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ (Ahousaht) First Nation on Release of Phase 1 Report on Residential School Research and Scanning

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – April 11, 2024) Yesterday, ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ (Ahousaht) First Nation announced the Phase 1 results of ʔahʔiiḥčp ʔukʷiłʔiqḥmuut (Honouring our Ancient Ones) Residential School Research Project. Their careful, in depth research into two Indian residential schools located within their territories has detailed likely and potential unmarked grave locations at the Ahousaht Indian Residential School and the Christie Indian Residential School, as well as unknown features that require further investigation.