November 28, 2025
(Xwməθkwəyə̓m (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səl̓ilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) / Vancouver, B.C.) – November 28, 2025). Today, the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) reaffirm B.C.’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act) as a landmark commitment to recognizing and upholding First Nations’ inherent title and rights, and jurisdiction. In an increasingly volatile political climate, the FNLC holds Premier Eby’s government accountable for continuing to restate its commitment to the Declaration Act and is ready to move the work forward together as fully and as quickly as possible.
The FNLC recognizes the Province’s significant work in recent weeks to stand with First Nations in B.C. and oppose any potential oil bitumen pipeline to the North Coast, despite immense pressure from Canada and Alberta. Such actions indicate there is an incredible potential for the Province to uphold and respect First Nations title and rights, as articulated in the Declaration Act.
The FNLC continues to raise concerns regarding several areas where provincial action has not yet aligned with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration), which affirms First Nations’ rights to participate in decision-making, exercise jurisdiction, and determine the use of their lands, territories, and resources. Six years after the Act came into force, First Nations continue to encounter inconsistent legislative alignment, limited shared decision-making structures, and inadequate ongoing resourcing to support consultation, cooperation, and co-development.
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