BCAFN Condemns UBC Professors’ Legal Action Against Land Acknowledgments

Press Release

(Lheidli T’enneh Territory/Prince George, BC)– BCAFN is deeply concerned by the recent legal action taken by a group of professors against the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) acknowledgement of unceded First Nations land. This effort not only attacks First Nations’ rights but also denies the historical truths that form the foundation of our cultures and enduring connections to our ancestral territories.

“Land acknowledgments are far more than mere statements that can be dismissed as political ideologies; they are a necessary step toward true reconciliation. These acknowledgments highlight the ongoing impacts of colonialism and serve to educate Canadians about the systemic inequities and injustices faced by First Nations. This assault on land acknowledgments reflects a broader and troubling trend of resistance against the reconciliation process, which seeks to rectify the wrongs that have persisted for generations in Canada,” stated Regional Chief Terry Teegee.

Academic institutions play a critical role in fostering an environment of education, truth, and reconciliation. They are responsible for challenging their communities to confront the realities of Canada’s colonial past and upholding the commitments enshrined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, BC’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and Canada’s UN Declaration Act.

BCAFN urges UBC to continue its commitment to decolonization, reconciliation, and the integration of First Nations’ perspectives by continuing to acknowledge unceded lands. As a respected and longstanding institution, UBC must help foster an environment where truth, respect, and understanding can thrive, further promoting a pathway to genuine reconciliation between our Nations.

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For further information, contact:

Annette Schroeter, Communications Officer, phone (778)281-1655.

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