April 14, 2026– Hupacasath and Tseshaht Territories, Port Alberni, BC
The NTC is relieved to hear that amendments to DRIPA are paused while the Premier looks for support with chiefs and opposition MLA's. We know it is not because he is listening to the First Nations who have spoken out against amending DRIPA but rather his need to find enough MLAs to support his amendments. The premier needs to drop this initiative.

NTC says to the Premier, now it is time to work with First Nations and find solutions to what he feels is a huge problem. We would like good faith negotiations in person and no negotiating through the media. Also no short meetings and turn around times to respond to BC's position. We want co-developed solutions. NTC has always been willing to look at options other than amending DRIPA.

The NTC expresses our support and confidence in the BC First Nations Leadership Council(FNLC) The FNLC are elected representatives by the Chiefs in this province and represent the BC Assembly of First Nations, the First Nations Summit and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.

We would like to speak up to clarify Premier Eby’s disrespectful comments against the FNLC in his press conference on Monday where he says they are like a brick wall in their opposition to DRIPA and he is going directly to the chiefs who are the rights and title holders. He went on to say the FNLC are holding fast to a position.

The Premier is well aware the FNLC is mandated by the chiefs in this province through resolutions. Existing chiefs resolutions are to oppose amendments to DRIPA and they are holding fast to that direction. It should be seen as a compliment to their leadership and integrity and should not to be put down by the Premier because they won’t change their minds.

The premier has spent almost 4 hours in two meetings with the Chiefs in this province. There wasn’t enough time for all the chiefs on the calls to speak.

President Judith Sayers states "I attended both meetings with the Premier and not one chief or leader spoke in favour of the amendments to DRIPA and there was well over 100
chiefs at both calls. Most chiefs raised concerns about the negative impact amending UNDRIP would have on the continuing BC and First Nations relationship and negative impact on economic development and other initiatives under way."

The premier also sent his two proposal amendments to the chiefs who had signed confidentiality agreements. . Again, many wrote letters opposing the amendments.

When David Eby says he is going to go the Chiefs where "he hopes to find support and understanding to the situation BC is facing " I am unsure which chiefs he plans to talk to. Maybe those that did not sign confidentiality agreements?

Last Friday FNLC had a press conference where 4 of the Leadership council representatives and 5 Chiefs or leaders from communities spoke.

President Judith Sayers added "I was one of the speakers at the press conference and I am not on the leadership council. We all spoke in solidarity opposing the amendments."

Vice President Les doiron added "So how can the premier now say that he will go the chiefs to see if he can get them to agree to his proposals when he already has and knows they have said no already. We are tired of the Premiers flip flopping on the direction the premier is setting."

The Premier needs to work with chiefs and the FNLC in this province to find solutions that doesn't include amending DRIPA. Trying to take down our leaders is not the way to go about doing that.

We need to set the record straight on the processes the Premier has already undertaken with the Chiefs.

Contact:

Cloy-e-iis, Judith Sayers, President, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council
P: 250.724.5757 ext. 231 or 250-415-0387
E: judith.sayers@nuuchahnulth.org

Les Doiron, Vice President, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council
P: 250-724-5757 ext. or 250-731-7218