Tag Archives: Grand Chief Stewart Phillip

Indigenous Nations, Industry

New report recommends that BC First Nations gain control of mining in Indigenous territory

By Jacob Cardinal, Alberta Native News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

(ANNews) – In an effort to proactively reclaim sovereignty over their territories in British Columbia, the BC First Nations Energy and Mining Council (FNEMC) released a new report — supported by the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and the BC Assembly of First Nations — demanding the right to exercise sovereignty and consent in relation to mining activities in the province. 

 The Indigenous Sovereignty: Implementing Consent for Mining on Indigenous Lands report sets out 25 recommendations which, if implemented, would compel mining companies and prospectors to secure the approval of First Nation governments in order to obtain consent-based access to First Nations’ lands.

 They would further be required to agree and abide by conditions set by those First Nations governments.

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Justice

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip: Why the RCMP must be accountable

It has been a week since the Federal Court of Canada condemned RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki for her failure to respond to the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC). The case revolved around an interim report from 2017, but in her Judgement and Reasons Associate Chief Justice Jocelyne Gagné pointed to numerous other cases where the RCMP had acted in the same manner. 

“It is in the public interest to have a police oversight institution that functions properly and is unobstructed.” she wrote.

One of the organizations applauding the Court’s Decision to hold the police accountable is the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.

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Forests, Indigenous Nations

B.C.’s old growth still falling with delay of provincial logging deferrals

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Old-growth forests the B.C. government has identified for logging deferrals are still at risk of being clear cut, according to a West Coast conservation group. 

“Intentions don’t stop chainsaws,” said Torrance Coste, campaign director for the Wilderness Committee, of the government’s failure to immediately act on the deferrals announced Nov. 2. 

Continue reading B.C.’s old growth still falling with delay of provincial logging deferrals →
Energy, Indigenous Nations, Justice

RCMP arrest journalists, matriarchs and land defenders following Gidimt’en eviction of Coastal GasLink

By Matt Simmons, The Narwhal, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

RCMP arrested two journalists, including photojournalist Amber Bracken, on assignment for The Narwhal, during police enforcement of a Coastal GasLink injunction in northwest B.C. Friday. 

Continue reading RCMP arrest journalists, matriarchs and land defenders following Gidimt’en eviction of Coastal GasLink →
Indigenous Nations, Justice

New BC bills welcomed, but UNDRIP implementation moving at a snail’s pace

By Shari Narine, Windspeaker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Two bills introduced in the British Columbia legislature on Nov. 17 illustrate the province is heading in the right direction, say two First Nations leaders.

However, both BC Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Terry Teegee and Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs president Grand Chief Stewart Phillip say more political will is needed to move the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples forward at a faster pace.

Continue reading New BC bills welcomed, but UNDRIP implementation moving at a snail’s pace →