February 19, 2026
(xʷməθkʷəy ̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) / Vancouver, B.C.) Today, the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) launched a new page on its website – fnlc.ca/declaration-act – to counteract the ongoing, highly damaging misinformation that has permeated the public and political discourse around B.C.’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, also known as the Declaration Act or DRIPA. First Nations have continued to loudly reject proposed amendments to the Declaration Act, including through resolution at the UBCIC Chiefs Council last week.
Passed unanimously in the B.C. Legislature on November 26, 2019, the Declaration Act came into force on November 29, 2019 and made B.C. the first jurisdiction in Canada to formally adopt the internationally recognized human rights standards for Indigenous peoples of the UN Declaration. The Declaration Act was developed collaboratively with First Nations and passed unanimously by all political parties in the Legislature, with the support of industry, business, and labour. It creates a path forward for B.C. by establishing minimum standards of survival and dignity for Indigenous peoples, while also introducing better transparency, predictability and accountability in Indigenous–provincial relationships. The Declaration Act has contributed to greater trust, stability, and economic certainty across the province. It is landmark legislation—one all British Columbians should be proud of.
To read full release, click “Download PDF” below and to the right.