UBCIC

10/13/2026

The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) is calling for the immediate removal of candidate John Henderson, who brought the book Grave Error to the Sechelt municipal hall while he was Mayor in 2024, and discussed with senior staff. The book calls into question widely documented evidence of the horrendous truths of Indian Residential Schools and has been criticized and rejected broadly including by the UBCIC Chiefs Council through resolution.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC President, stated “When the B.C. Conservative Party announced Mr. Henderson’s candidacy on October 1, the very day after people across the country marked the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, it felt like a slap in the face. As the UBCIC Chiefs-in-Assembly have noted, the pain of Residential School denialism is deeply offensive and compounds the suffering that generations of survivors have already endured and has no place in public discourse. Particularly concerning is the dissemination of misinformation and harmful denialism by individuals elected to public office. No individual should be acclaimed by any party when they have perpetuated Residential School denialism, including Mr. Henderson.”

In 2024, the Sechelt District Council passed a motion supporting UBCIC Resolution 2024-33 which rejected Residential School racist denialism and dissemination of racist misinformation put forward by the authors of Grave Error. Only Mayor John Henderson did not support the motion. In correspondence, the shíshálh Nation denounced his leadership and called on him to resign, followed by the UBCIC calling for him to resign via Resolution 2024-61. The district council appointed a liaison to speak on their behalf without involving the mayor. The mayor has not apologized since that time, nor did he resign. This was publicly reported over the last two years, but despite that, the Conservative Party of B.C. appointed Henderson as their candidate on October 1, 2026 saying that he “is ready to take the same energy, experience and record of getting things done to Victoria as the MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast.”

UBCIC upholds and honours Survivors and acknowledges the immeasurable pain they were forced to experience. We strongly urge all political party leaders, candidates, and the public, to listen to Survivors, who have bravely shared the truth through testimony in a variety of forms.

Credible resources to learn more about residential schools:

- The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Reports and 94 Calls to Action
- UBC Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre
- Office of the Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential Schools Final Report
- Oscar-Nominated documentary Sugarcane

Mental health and cultural support resources can be found below:

-First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line and On-line
Counselling Service offers mental health counselling and crisis intervention to Indigenous people across Canada.

Toll-Free: 1-855-242-3310; http://www.hopeforwellness.ca
-Indian Residential School Survivors Society
Toll-free: 1-800-721-0066

-KUU-US Crisis Line
Toll-Free: 1-800-588-8717
(First Nations and Indigenous specific)
310– Mental Health: 310-6789 (no area code)
Su***de Crisis Line: 1-800-784-2433

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Working towards the recognition, implementation and exercise of our inherent Indigenous Title, Rights and Treaty Rights

10/04/2026

Today, UBCIC remembers and honours MMIWG2S+ on the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls & Gender Diverse People. Formerly Sisters in Spirit day, we come together to remember and uplift those who left too soon, and who have disappeared. Indigenous women and girls and two spirit plus individuals experience disturbingly disproportionate rates of gender based violence, and we demand action from all levels of government. The National Inquiry’s Calls for Justice must be prioritized and implemented.

10/02/2026

Nesika's thrilled to launch the Arnold Peters Legacy Scholarship in partnership with UBCIC. Apply at: https://www.nesikasociety.org The deadline is Oct. 31, 2026.

10/01/2026

Today, the federal government announced designation of the West Coast Oil “Pacific Link” Pipeline (Pacific Link pipeline) as a project of national interest, despite an incomplete consultation process that ignored First Nations inherent and constitutionally protected title and rights, and that ignored the dangerous impacts of increased fossil fuel extraction and transmission. The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) reiterates that First Nations’ title and rights cannot be set aside to meet a political timeline, and that opposition from affected Nations must be respected.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC President, stated “We demand that the legal principle of ‘free, prior, informed consent’ enshrined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act be fully engaged in ‘all’ fast-tracked projects sponsored by the Major Projects Office pursuant to the so-called Build Canada Act. The Pacific Link pipeline is unique in that it has tossed aside the fundamental pillars of our relationship in terms of respect, in terms of shared communication, and taking up lands in our territories without any form of credible consultation. We all know that this is a template approach for many other projects to come if it goes as smoothly as Canada hopes. We have a duty and an obligation to protect our rights to the fullest extent of the law and we have every intention of doing that. This is not a cake walk, this is not a ‘gimme’, this will be hard-fought in the court rooms, and if necessary, with boots on the ground.”

Heiltsuk K̓áwáziɫ Chief Marilyn Slett, UBCIC Secretary-Treasurer, stated, “At the heart of our fight is keeping our coast super tanker free and protected from jeopardizing our way of life, economy and future. Whether the tankers travel south or north it’s all the same. They threaten the health of our ocean and an oil spill is devastating to our communities. Heiltsuk knows this first hand - 10 years after the Nathan E Stewart fuel spill that impacted our marine bread-basket, Heiltsuk is still fighting for justice.”

Chief Dan Manuel, Upper Nicola Indian Band, commented, “We have never surrendered or ceded our lands, but we are faced with the ongoing impacts of these decisions every day. We are forced into a legal system that is part of the colonial framework to protect our rights in courts that we never agreed to and never accepted. Government needs to recognize and respect that First Nations have a place in the legislative framework and in decision-making in this country. If we continue to let governments have control, we will continue to bear the impacts while receiving the least from the outcomes.”

At the recent 58th Annual General Assembly, the UBCIC Chiefs-in-Assembly passed Resolution 2026-40, calling on the federal and provincial governments, in full partnership with First Nations, to immediately halt the advancement of all major resource projects in B.C. pending a complete, transparent, and independent review of all outstanding and backlogged historical claims, claims in negotiations – including land back negotiations – and claims in research and development across the province. The UBCIC Chiefs-in-Assembly also passed Resolution 2026-46, which firmly rejects the designation of the West Coast Oil (Pacific Link) Pipeline, as a project of national interest, and rejects the designation of any other project under the Building Canada Act, where such projects would undermine First Nations inherent, human, and constitutionally protected title and rights and jurisdiction, environmental protection, and the authority of affected First Nations to determine priorities for their territories and waters, unless and until meaningful consultation consistent with the honour of the Crown and the minimum standards described above has been carried out.

Katisha Paul, UBCIC Women’s representative, stated, "Whose national interest is this designation for? We have seen major projects move forward with promises of economic benefits for our communities, but we have to ask whether those benefits have actually been realized, and what the impacts to our way of life are. These projects are harming our people and our living relatives, and First Nations should not be expected to carry those impacts in the name of someone else’s national interest.”

“Moving another million barrels of oil across major salmon rivers and through salmon migration routes in the Salish Sea could have devastating impacts on our inherent title and fishing rights,” said Chief Dalton Silver, Semá:th First Nation. “Prime Minister Carney needs to understand that today’s pre-approval of a new crude oil pipeline and tankers project without a full assessment of the risks of a rupture or oil spill, and without the consent of impacted Nations, is both unwise and unlawful.”

“A ‘national interest’ designation cannot override First Nations’ inherent and constitutionally protected title and rights,” concluded Gitxaala Chief Councillor Linda Innes, UBCIC Vice-President. “UBCIC warns that pre-approving the project without meaningful consultation and the free, prior and informed consent of affected First Nations would be inconsistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and vulnerable to legal challenge. First Nations must have sufficient information, time and resources to assess the proposal through their own laws and decision-making processes, including the option not to proceed.”

UBCIC opposes advancing the pipeline and associated tanker traffic at the expense of First Nations’ territories, livelihoods, and future generations. The risks of spills, harm to watersheds and marine ecosystems, and increased fossil fuel production require comprehensive review before decisions are made. Claims of economic urgency cannot justify proceeding without a thorough assessment of the project’s cumulative environmental, climate, cultural, and human rights impacts.

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Working towards the recognition, implementation and exercise of our inherent Indigenous Title, Rights and Treaty Rights

10/01/2026

UBCIC sends our love and prayers to Tsawwassen First Nation.

An incident occurred during today's event. Police are investigating, and there is no indication that it was intentional.

Our thoughts are with those affected.

We ask that privacy is respected at this moment. Further information will be shared when appropriate.

https://tsawwassenfirstnation.com/september-30-2026/

09/30/2026

The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) recognizes National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day with condemnation of residential school denialism and renewed calls for public education on the history of residential schools, legal protections from denialism, safety and support for survivors.

On September 22, 2026, the Supreme Court of British Columbia issued further reasons in Pat Morton v. Union of BC Indian Chiefs, reaffirming the strong public interest in UBCIC’s well-established mandate to defend residential school survivors and confront residential school denialism.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC President, stated “This most recent ruling by the Supreme Court of British Columbia is an important acknowledgement of UBCIC’s mandate to support residential school survivors and intergenerational survivors and to publicly speak out against residential school denialism and its harms. In her original decision, the judge found “there is a ‘high public interest’ in protecting the UBCIC’s expression” at issue in that case, and described this expression as counter-speech, which is “speech that contributes to public discourse by countering ignorant or harmful expression”. The judge also found the UBCIC’s expression was participation in political-decision making, which brought it “squarely within the s. 2(b) core values most deserving of protection” under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It is a reminder that denialism will not be tolerated and signals the collective importance of standing up for what is right and upholding the rights and safety of victims of institutionalized violence.”

“UBCIC is deeply concerned by the rise in residential school denialism and aggressive public display of white supremacy and anti-Indigenous racism, including by elected officials and individuals connected to white nationalist groups,” stated Chief Councillor Linda Innes, UBCIC Vice-President. “Today is a day for reflection, acknowledgement and commemoration of Canada’s legacy of forced assimilation of First Nations. It is fundamental that survivors of residential schools and all First Nations people are guaranteed safety and that Canadians engage in the work of learning and coming to terms with this part of Canadian history and its ongoing legacies. We call on the governments of B.C. and Canada to prioritize implementation the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and federal legislation to protect against residential school denialism, and anti-Indigenous racism and hate in all its forms.”

Chief Marilyn Slett, UBCIC Secretary-Treasurer, concluded, “We stand with residential school survivors and intergenerational survivors who have endured institutional abuse and have had their testimony and lived experience called into question by denialists. We see this compounding harm and commit to continuing the work of disseminating the history of Canada’s policies of forced assimilation, which were carried out through well-documented dispossession from our lands, seizure of our children, erasure of our languages, culture and systems of governance and our legal extinguishment under the Indian Act. We will continue to adamantly denounce views that seek to downplay or dismiss this crucial piece of Canadian history. UBCIC invites the public to reflect on the significance of this day, on the deep and lasting harms of anti-Indigenous racism, violence and denialism, and to learn about residential schools from credible resources.” (see below)

Working towards the recognition, implementation and exercise of our inherent Indigenous Title, Rights and Treaty Rights

09/29/2026

The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) was disgusted and angered to learn of the stark demonstration of racialized hate apparently associated with the white nationalist and supremacist group “Second Sons” on Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc reserve lands on September 27, 2026, the anonymous cowards were seen holding a banner that said, “Got Bones?”, seemingly questioning the well documented existence of unmarked graves at the sites of former Indian Residential Schools. The FNLC stands with and supports Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc as they deal with the fallout of this despicable act, and call on Prime Minister Mark Carney and B.C. Premier David Eby to join events hosted by Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The FNLC is alarmed with rising anti-First Nations racism and hate in British Columbia. These sentiments continue to be stoked by elected political leaders and candidates, both current and past, who have directly contributed to the demonization of First Nations and our rights. It is disingenuous in the extreme for these individuals to denounce our rights as a problem to be solved one day, and attempt to distance themselves from the inevitable consequences of their actions the next.

We call on all political parties in British Columbia to unequivocally denounce anti-First Nations racism and hate and make an unqualified commitment to uphold and cease politicizing the basic human and constitutionally protected rights of First Nations.

Regional Chief Terry Teegee, BC Assembly of First Nations:
"I call on Canada directly to urgently reform the Criminal Code, and acknowledge residential school denialism as hate speech. First Nations have been constantly signaling to Canada about the dangers of denialism and anti-First Nations violence. The consistent inaction of B.C. and Canada to acknowledge this major problem continues to threaten the safety of First Nations, and most importantly, residential school survivors. By not proactively addressing this ongoing behaviour, Canada and B.C. continue to undermine the human rights of First Nations, as legislatively recognized in the UN Declaration.”

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC President:
“We must work together with all First Nations, governments, and the broader public to reject white supremacy, including against First Nations. I am calling for support as we head into National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th- I urge our supporters to not sit idly by, and instead to show up and participate in events First Nations are holding, and to wear orange shirts. We demand an investigation by the RCMP into what happened over the weekend, and to provide security for any First Nation requesting, and we reiterate our calls for BC and Canada to criminalize Indian Residential School denialism. This is a call to action. To Kukpi7 Casimir and the Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc Nation, we stand in complete solidarity with your community. Love is stronger than hate, and you are not alone.”

Robert Phillips, First Nations Summit Political Executive:
“This was not a peaceful protest, nor an act of free speech. This was an act based on hate, racism and residential school denialism. Groups like this cannot change our history or erase our reality. The harmful impacts of colonialism and the deeply damaging residential school system on First Nations citizens and communities is our truth. We must collectively stand together to denounce any groups like this who attempt to openly intimidate Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc or any other First Nation. There is simply no excuse for this abhorrent behaviour.”

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Working towards the recognition, implementation and exercise of our inherent Indigenous Title, Rights and Treaty Rights

09/24/2026

(Shxwhá:y Village (Stó:lō Territory)/ Chilliwack, B.C. – September 24, 2026) Women delegates of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) gathered yesterday during the 58th UBCIC Annual General Assembly for a Women’s Gathering, “Honouring Our Matriarchs, Protecting Future Generations.” Women leaders sounded the alarm over the swift advancement of provincial and federal major projects without First Nations’ free, prior, and informed consent, the erosion of environmental protections and First Nations women’s rights and safety, and heightened risks of gender-based violence and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit+ Peoples (MMIWG2S+) crisis in relation to resource extraction.

“UBCIC women leaders are clear that we do not consent to a flawed development and consultation process or to projects that will inflict violence onto our waterways, our lands and our relatives,” stated Katisha Paul, UBCIC Women’s Representative. “Together we have issued a Declaration calling on the Governments of B.C. and Canada, as well as industry proponents and foreign investors, to recognize the dire and irreversible human rights and environmental consequences of extractive development and to uphold First Nations women, girls and two-spirit+ peoples’ rights.”

The UBCIC Women’s Declaration is attached.=

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UBCIC Women’s Declaration:
Protecting Our Women and Our Lands
against Violence of Major Projects

We, women delegates of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, stand in solidarity against major industrial and extractive projects being rapidly advanced under a suite of laws by the Governments of B.C. and Canada, founded in the degradation of our territories and the erosion of our rights. We come together to make this solemn Declaration out of our common desire to uphold the health, safety and prosperity of First Nations women, children and two-spirit+ peoples, our future generations and our sacred relationship to the planet that sustains us.

As First Nations women and protectors of our Nations, our children, and our territories, we recognize:
-The sacred teachings and work of our ancestors to protect and steward our lands, waterways, the air, the fire (our minerals, metals and precious and semi-precious gems), and our animal relatives.
-Economic urgency does not override our inherent and constitutionally protected First Nations title and rights, nor does it diminish the Crown’s obligation to consult and cooperate in good faith with First Nations in order to obtain their free, prior, and informed consent before approving or advancing projects affecting our lands, territories or resources.
-Free, prior and informed consent is a minimum standard for the survival, dignity and well-being of First Nations, and it is not interchangeable with consultation, engagement or accommodation. It must be sought through our own Indigenous laws, protocols and decision-making processes before decisions are made.
-Disproportionate gender-based violence against First Nations women, girls and two-spirit+ peoples and the MMIWG2S+ crisis are human rights issues that are directly linked to extractive industries through cultures that uphold oppression and violence, misogyny and white supremacy, and militarization of state forces against Indigenous land defenders in service of Crown and industry interests.
-The National Inquiry into MMIWG2S+’s finding of the MMIWG2S+ crisis as genocide. -We have the right to safety. We deserve lives that are free of emotional, verbal, physical and sexual abuse. This is a principle of respect.
-Canada and B.C. have incorporated the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration) into positive law, with courts throughout the country confirming that the UN Declaration now applies as a binding international instrument on Canada.
-Our rights are inherent and constitutionally protected under S. 35, and upheld by international human rights bodies and treaties including the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the Human Rights Committee.

We call in the strongest possible terms on the Governments of B.C. and Canada, as well as all industry proponents and foreign and domestic investors, to:
-Uphold First Nations’ rights to free, prior and informed consent according to our Indigenous laws and protocols prior to any project designation, permitting, approval, financing or construction, with particular respect to the rights, leadership and decision-making authority of First Nations women, girls and two-spirit+ peoples.
-Respect that consent must be maintained throughout the project lifecycle and that material changes in project design, impacts or conditions require renewed consent.
-Provide affected First Nations title and rights holders and Treaty Nations with sufficient time, funding, and accessible information to assess cumulative, climate, environmental, health, cultural, gender and human rights impacts, including project alternatives and the option not to proceed.
-Immediately implement the UN Declaration, 2024 CEDAW Concluding Observations and the National Inquiry’s 231 Calls for Justice, in particular Calls for Justice 13.1-13.5, to ensure the rights, safety and security of First Nations women, girls, and two-spirit+ peoples and land defenders, to prevent all forms of violence in the context of extractive industries and development projects, to uphold the conservation and protection of our territories, and to obtain free, prior and informed consent prior to the approval of any project affecting our territories.
-Per UBCIC Resolution 2025-51, promote safety and accountability surrounding temporary work “man” camps including the creation of strong regulatory frameworks for oversight, enforcement, and compliance in the project approval process which stipulate that all employers must work with First Nations, provide workers with ongoing education and awareness training, administer safety checks, create accountability mechanisms, and ensure the safety of First Nations women, girls, and two-spirit+ peoples. Further, the Governments of B.C. and Canada must take a gender-based analysis+ and human rights impact assessment approach which upholds the title and rights and free, prior, and informed consent of First Nations, and First Nations women, girls and two-spirit+ peoples in the development of any and all extractive development and new projects.

As women of this land, we have a duty and an obligation to protect our rights and our future generations to the fullest extent of the law, and we have every intention of doing so.

September 24, 2026

Working towards the recognition, implementation and exercise of our inherent Indigenous Title, Rights and Treaty Rights