By Frank Larue
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip stated today “I am very deeply grateful that the Chiefs-in-Assembly at the 42nd Annual General Assembly have re-elected me to be the President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs for the next three years. I believe it represents a strong mandate and full endorsement of the inclusive approach that has guided me over my 30 years of political life.”
Last week, the Chiefs-in-Assembly met at the 42nd Annual General Assembly in Vancouver. The election for the position of President was held on September 16. With last week’s election, Grand Chief Phillip will begin his fifth consecutive three-year term as the President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.
“The theme of our AGA was ‘United We Stand’ and I hereby commit to work collectively with the Chiefs of the UBCIC, the First Nations Summit and the BC Assembly of First Nations. We must work together to ensure the governments of Canada and British Columbia endorse and implement the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples for our Nations and communities. We must work together to compel government to update the Comprehensive Claims Policy to reflect the many hard-fought court victories such as the Delgamuuk’w, Haida and William cases,” said Grand Chief Phillip. “To bring justice and healing, we must work together, side by side, with the many families and friends of the missing and murdered women throughout British Columbia in the upcoming public inquiry.”
Grand Chief Phillip added, “The proposed Prosperity Mine, the proposed Enbridge Pipeline and the proposed Site C dam are mega-projects that are vigorously opposed by many First Nations communities and tribal councils. The Elders, leadership and families know that the Union of BC Indian Chiefs fully supports their determined efforts to protect their respective territories, their watersheds and their way of life. It is time for action-oriented leaders to step up and support the Nations and communities who will suffer the devastating consequences of these mega-projects.”
Grand Chief Phillip concluded, “I would like to acknowledge Kukpi7 Wayne Christian for his life-long work serving his community of Splats’in, the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council and to the critical issues of children and families.”
Grand Chief Phillip has been married for twenty-six years to Joan. They have four grown sons, two daughters, four granddaughters and five grandsons.
