About FPSE
The Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC is the provincial voice for faculty and staff in BC teaching universities, colleges and institutes, and in private sector institutions. FPSE member locals, represented by Presidents' Council and the Executive, represent over 10,000 faculty and staff at 18 public and 4 private sector institutions.
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau,
Prime Minister of Canada
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street Ottawa,
ON K1A 0A2
Sent via email: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca
January 30, 2019
Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,
On January 7, RCMP officers arrested and forcibly removed 14 Unist’ot’en and Wet’sewet’en land defenders on their traditional, unceded territory. These arrests are in violation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the 2014 Tsilhoqot’in and 1997 Delgamuukw / Gisday'wa Supreme Court rulings.
This unconstitutional infringement on the rights of the Wet’sewet’en and Unist’ot’en to manage their lands and resources is contrary to the spirit of reconciliation.
FPSE is committed to the implementation of the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the recognition of the inherent rights stated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
FPSE calls on all parties to respect the leadership of the Wet’suwet’en Nation and Unist’ot’en House, engage in meaningful dialogue regarding the Unist’ot’en territory, and abide by the decisions reached by the hereditary leadership regarding access and use of their land.
In solidarity,
Dr. George Davison
President, FPSE
CC: Premier John Horgan