(November 21, 2025 – Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa) – National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak released the following statement today in response to British Columbia legislators voting down two pieces of legislation this week. MLA Dallas Brodie’s proposed bill to repeal the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a provincial holiday in BC was defeated 86 to 3. MLA Jordan’s Kealy’s bill called for the revocation of BC’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
“I lift up every single member of the legislature that voted against these offensive and harmful bills,” said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “MLA Dallas Brodie is engaging in Indian Residential School denialism, which perpetuates false narratives and re-traumatizes Survivors. It is encouraging to see that BC legislators recognized this bill for what it was, a groundless provocation that should be immediately defeated. MLA Jordan Kealy’s bill sought to undermine First Nations rights, affirmed in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and protected by law nationally and provincially. Thankfully, this bill was also defeated.”
“I lift up Assembly of First Nations (AFN) BC Regional Chief Terry Teegee as well as BC Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Spencer Chandra Hebert for continuing to champion First Nations’ rights in the province,” concluded National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “Their leadership and advocacy contribute to positive legislative outcomes such as these. No government can ever legislate away our inherent, Treaty and human rights. We call on Parliamentarians to work with us to protect First Nations through legislation that will ensure Indian Residential School denialism is treated as a crime.”
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The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern. Follow AFN on X @AFN_Updates.
Contact information:
Cherish Francis
Press Secretary
Office of the National Chief
(343) 630-1372 (mobile)
[email protected]