AFN chief asks UN to support First Nations' opposition to B.C. Indigenous law change

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak waits to appear at the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs in Ottawa on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (Adrian Wyld / The Canadian Press)

OTTAWA — The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations is calling on the United Nations to condemn the “regressive” attempt by B.C. Premier David Eby’s government to amend or suspend parts of a landmark Indigenous rights law.

That law, based on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, has come under fire from Eby’s government after it was cited in a court ruling against the province.

The premier has said the B.C. Court of Appeal’s ruling on the province’s mining rules would force his government to incorporate the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into all of its laws, something he compared to eating an elephant.

First Nations leaders have been outspoken in their opposition to any changes. They rejected a proposal from Eby’s government on Sunday for a one-year suspension of the province’s DRIPA law, which was then withdrawn.

After a series of flip-flops and reversals, the premier joined the First Nations Leadership Council in issuing a joint statement Monday saying the government won’t be introducing legislation to suspend or amend the law during the current legislative session.

“Together, we commit to genuine collaboration to find solutions as soon as possible, and before the fall legislative session,” the joint statement says.

National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak told the United Nations permanent forum on Indigenous issues on Tuesday that the rights of First Nations are protected by international human rights law and cannot be suspended, amended or paused by any government.

“We ask for your support and condemnation of British Columbia’s regressive decisions,” Woodhouse Nepinak said.

“Reconciliation and respect of the United Nations declaration require good faith negotiations with First Nations.”

When asked about Woodhouse Nepinak’s statement to the UN, B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma said her government has committed to sitting down with First Nations leaders “to solve what is a very complicated problem.”

Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad said on social media Woodhouse Nepinak’s remarks are “completely unacceptable.”

“An unelected national chief is running to an international body to interfere in the sovereign affairs of our province,” Rustad wrote.

“British Columbians elect their own government to make laws for all 5.7 million residents. We do not answer to the United Nations.”

Woodhouse Nepinak and the Assembly of First Nations advocate on behalf of some 630 First Nations chiefs in Canada. While the Assembly of First Nations is not a rights-holding body, the national chief is elected by rights-holding First Nations.

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon addressed the same UN forum on Monday. She said Canada is making progress on improving the lives of Indigenous Peoples, even if that progress is slow.

“Countries like Canada made a promise that life for Indigenous Peoples would improve, and in many ways in Canada it is improving,” Simon said, citing Canada’s adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, better known as UNDRIP.

“I have witnessed progress and a growing awareness among Canadians through national and regional efforts toward reconciliation. Reconciliation is transforming our understanding of history and building new relations within our society.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2026.

-- With files from Wolfgang Depner in Victoria, B.C.