Provincial Election: BCAFN calls on all parties to abandon divisive culture war politics and to present human rights commitments to the benefit of all British Columbians
(Lheidli T’enneh Territory/Prince George, BC) – Today, British Columbia Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) marks the beginning of the 2026 Provincial Election by calling on all parties to abandon the divisive culture war rhetoric and to stand beside First Nations communities by upholding First Nations human rights as fundamentally necessary under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). This election is an opportunity to reflect on the divisiveness, misinformation, and fearmongering that has defined this last year, which saw notable shifts away from human rights, equality, and economic certainty to culture wars, scapegoating, and division.
“The need to reconfirm support for reconciliation and upholding human rights is a message for all parties,” stated BCAFN Regional Chief Terry Teegee. “The BC Conservatives' collapse is the direct consequence of selling fear, misinformation, and a culture war narrative to a public who refused to scapegoat their neighbours. Rather than focusing on the issues that matter to British Columbians, such as affordability, health care, and education, the Conservatives were torn apart by conflict over anti-Indigenous rhetoric, identity politics, and lack of confidence in their own leadership. Yet the BC NDP have been caught courting these same arguments in a poor attempt to respond to their own failures to make transparent and substantive progress on the implementation of DRIPA. It is in the best interest of all British Columbians to reject these divisive politics and support First Nations by upholding the human rights of First Nations peoples under DRIPA and returning their focus to the issues that matter most to British Columbians.”
First Nations are committed to working with the provincial government in good faith, no matter which party holds power. DRIPA was passed in 2019, with the unanimous support of all parties after many years of collaborative work between First Nations and the Province and provides a solid foundation for the ongoing work of reconciliation. It improves decision-making, creates certainty, and is good for the economy, which benefits all British Columbians.
This election, First Nations are looking for a Premier who won’t peddle in fear but will present a hopeful plan, while upholding basic human rights, to the benefit of all British Columbians.
For more information or to schedule an interview with Regional Chief Terry Teegee, please contact:
Annette Schroeter, BCAFN Communications
annette.schroeter@bcafn.ca
(778) 281-1655