UBCIC Supports Calls to Uphold the Title and Rights of all Impacted First Nations Before Advancing Treaty Legislation

Press Release

April 22, 2026

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – April 22, 2026) The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) stands in support of Wei Wai Kum First Nation, the Nine Allied Tribes, and Lax Kw’alaams Band in their call for the Province to pause advancement of the K’ómoks and Kitselas treaty bills until outstanding issues are addressed with respect to boundary resolution.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC President, stated ““Reconciliation cannot be achieved through incomplete or unilateral processes. Moving forward without resolving shared territory and overlap issues risks undermining relationships between Nations and creating long-term uncertainty. The concerns raised by impacted Nations reflect longstanding issues with Crown negotiation practices, including those consistently raised by the UBCIC Chiefs Council, and advancing treaty legislation with unresolved boundary issues is irresponsible and will be challenged. This approach is not aligned with the Province’s commitments to support Nation-led work to address territorial overlaps.”

The Nations have raised serious concerns regarding unresolved territorial overlaps, governance issues, and the lack of meaningful consultation and accommodation, issues that engage fundamental principles of inherent and constitutionally protected title and rights, and the honour of the Crown.

“UBCIC supports the inherent rights of First Nations to self-determination; however, the Crown must not advance agreements that affect multiple Nations’ territories without ensuring meaningful consultation, accommodation, and the free, prior, and informed consent of all impacted Nations,” stated Chief Councillor Linda Innes, UBCIC Vice-President.

Chief Marilyn Slett, UBCIC Secretary-Treasurer, concluded “UBCIC calls on the Province to work with all impacted Nations to ensure agreements and related legislative processes are principled, transparent, and grounded in respect for Indigenous laws, and title and rights. We have so much good work to do together, and we all have to be on the same page to move forward successfully.”

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Media inquiries:

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President, 250-490-5314
Chief Linda Innes, Vice-President, 604-802-5172
Chief Marilyn Slett, Secretary-Treasurer, 250-957-7721

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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