Dear friends and allied organizations in the environmental movement,
The B.C. provincial election is October 19th, and we are asking you to vote for the B.C. NDP, to ensure that Indigenous rights are not rolled back and that we can work together to address the climate emergency.
We know you’re upset, and we are too. We all want to see even more action to protect our lands and waters, and we have high expectations. For example, at the September 2024 Annual General Assembly, the UBCIC Chiefs Council unanimously passed Resolution 2024-45 opposing the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline, and we fully intend to continue fighting alongside you as directed by the Chiefs-in-Assembly.
However.
We all need to realize what is at stake and what the consequences will be if your vote leads to John Rustad and the Conservatives getting elected. Despite our anger and frustrations, we need to move forward to protect the land, waters and the future of all our grandchildren.
We can’t protect the environment if our rights aren’t recognized.
We urge you to vote for David Eby and the B.C. NDP in this election. Voting for anyone else risks a win for John Rustad and the B.C. Conservatives, which could mean 4 to 8 to 12 years or more of being out in the political wilderness as the fracking and old growth logging greatly intensifies over that period.
Rustad says he will repeal the groundbreaking Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act), which we fought extremely hard for and with your help, that implements the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in provincial legislation. The Declaration Act upholds our inherent title and rights, sets the stage for unprecedented engagement and dialogue, and has opened the doors to advancing shared decision making, including over our precious natural resources. We can’t risk losing this critical legislation.
It’s been an honour to work in solidarity with you over the past years; however, we are letting you know that now is the time we need your support. If you want to uphold Indigenous rights, please vote with us in this election, and vote B.C. NDP.
We ask that you please share this letter with your membership.
Sincerely,
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Chief Don Tom, and Chief Marilyn Slett
MEMO RE. SOME KEY ACHIVEMENTS ON TITLE AND RIGHTS SINCE B.C. NDP FORMED GOVERNMENT IN 2017
- In November 2019, the provincial government passed the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act). This aims to create a path towards alignment of provincial laws with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (the UN Declaration). This followed work developed by the Province under the B.C. NDP and the FNLC on the 2018 Commitment Document, Concrete Actions including the need for provincial legislation to implement the UN Declaration.
- The province created the Declaration Act Secretariat and released the Declaration Act Action Plan to guide the provinces work to implement the UN Declaration in B.C. We are the only province to enact the Declaration into law.
- The provincial government continues to work on alignment of laws per sec. 3 of the Declaration Act, and in October 2022 released the Interim Approach to Implement the Requirements of Section 3 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
- The work to align laws with the UN Declaration has resulted in an increased number of legislative reforms which can be found here.
- In 2018 the ‘Namgis, Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis and Mamalilikulla First Nations and the B.C. government reached an agreement to work on an unprecedented consent-based process for transitioning away from open-net pen fish farms.
- In 2020, the provincial government and First Nation in B.C. signed a 25-year revenue sharing partnership. The BC First Nations Gaming Revenue Sharing Limited Partnership along with amendments to the Gaming Control Act allows for 7% of BC Lottery Corporation’s net income to be shared with First Nations through 2045.
- On September 18, 2020, the Province of B.C., Lake Babine Nation and the Government of Canada signed the Lake Babine Nation Foundation Agreement. The Foundation Agreement sets out a step-by-step vision for Lake Babine Nation to implement their rights and title.
- November 2021 the provincial government made amendments to the Interpretation Act. These amendments require that provincial laws be interpreted consistent with section 35 Aboriginal rights and the UN Declaration.
- The province has begun negotiating joint-decision-making agreements under section 7 of the Declaration Act. This includes:
- Tahltan Central Government (TCG) and the Province of British Columbia entered into a consent-based decision-making agreement in 2022. The agreement allows TCG and the Environmental Assessment Office to collaboratively carry out their own assessment processes.
- shíshálh Nation who have worked on finalizing the Dock Management plan to address community interests and protect shíshálh’s title and rights. This management plan was updated between the province and shíshálh Nation in 2024 to address community interests regarding existing docks and boathouses.
- In May 2022, the Anti-Racism Data Act was introduced. This act allows for the collection and use of information to address systemic racism. This legislation was co-developed with Indigenous Peoples in alignment with the Declaration Act.
- November 2022, the Ministry of Children and Family Development made changes to the Adoption Act and the Child, Family and Community Service Act, formally acknowledging the inherent right of Indigenous communities to self-governance, including their authority over child and family services. The amendments eliminated obstacles in provincial legislation, allowing Indigenous Peoples to provide child and family services under their own laws. This helps ensure Indigenous children and youth remain safely connected to their families, communities, and cultures. A key goal is to address and reduce the overrepresentation of Indigenous children and youth in provincial care.
- The Tripartite Framework Agreement on Nature Conservation was signed Nov. 2023. Originally advanced as a bilateral agreement between Canada and B.C., under Premier David Eby, the Province realized this was inadequate and shifted entirely to be inclusive of First Nations, and was co-developed with and signed by the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC). This agreement is intended to advance ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation through a cooperative approach that respects and integrates the rights and stewardship roles of First Nations.
- The B.C. government and Blueberry River First Nations reached an agreement in 2023 that will guide them forward in a partnership approach to land, water and resource stewardship. The Blueberry River First Nations Implementation Agreement addresses the cumulative effects in Blueberry River’s Claim Area.
- The Emergency and Disaster Management Act (EDMA) replaced the Emergency Program Act in 2023. The new EDMA enables agreements with Indigenous governing bodies for joint or consent-based decision-making, using a framework established by the Declaration Act. The legislation also allows for agreements with Indigenous governing bodies to coordinate the implementation of emergency powers, as well as the development of plans, policies, and programs for response and recovery efforts.
- On April 14, 2024, the Haida Title Agreement was signed. This agreement formally recognizes the Haida Aboriginal title throughout Haida Gwaii. This was a significant development in the province’s implementation of the UN Declaration. Further, in May 2024 the legislation that recognizes the Haida Nation’s Aboriginal title throughout Haida Gwaii received royal assent.
- The Anti-Racism Act was introduced into law in May 2024. The legislation requires government to create and support an anti-racism strategy that will identify and address racism in public policies, programs and services.
- Through the Building BC: Indigenous Housing Fund (IHF) 41 on and off reserve housing projects will provide 1,600 new affordable rental homes for First Nations and Indigenous peoples. The IHF is a $1.7-billion provincial program. With the creation of the IHF B.C. is the first and only province in Canada to invest in First Nations’ housing on reserve.
Top image credit: Image taken from Union of BC Indian Chiefs Facebook page