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Vancouver, Coast Salish Territory - Chief Stewart Phillip was re-elected for a second term as the President of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC). Chief Phillip, of the Penticton Indian Band and of the Okanagan Nation, received 73% of the votes on the first ballot. Chief Robert Shintah, of the Ts'kw'aylaxw Band of the St'at'imc Nation, received 27% of the votes.

The UBCIC Constitution states that that the office of the president requires 60% of the votes in favour of a nominee in order for the nominee to be declared president. The term of office for the president is three years. The election occurred during the UBCIC’s 33rd Annual General Assembly. This year’s AGA theme was “Indigenous Nations in Unity.”

"I believe my re-election represents a strong endorsement of my record of actively supporting our People 'on the ground' as they courageously defend their Aboriginal Title and Rights interests within their territories", stated Chief Phillip.

Chief Phillip further stated "In terms of the future, delegates attending the 33rd Annual General Assembly have expressed grave concerns with respect to the Province of British Columbia's aggressive efforts to accelerate the sale and disposal of so-called 'Crown Lands' to third-party interests. As well, delegates strongly indicated their continuing rejection of the Government of Canada’s unilateral legislative package concerning the First Nation Governance Initiative, First Nations’ Fiscal Institutions Initiative and the proposed Independent Claims Body."

Chief Phillip commented further on the Government of Canada’s actions “I am also deeply troubled by the drastic budget cut of the Assembly of First Nations by Minister Robert Nault. UBCIC member communities have worked hard on such critical committees as the Delgamuuk'w Implementation Strategic Committee but because of the budget cuts these committees have now been all but abandoned. Minister Nault is obviously punishing the AFN for the comments and actions of National Chief Coon Come. Is this the approach of the Government of Canada? Criticize the Federal Government and you will be isolated and punished? How will legitimate criticism and Aboriginal protests be interpreted after Canada's Anti-Terrorism bill is enacted?”

Chief Phillip concluded, "Governments must enter into good-faith negotiations or constructive dialogue of the issues at hand. As long as governments refuse to recognize our Aboriginal Title and Rights as declared in court decisions like Delgamuuk'w and which are enshrined in the Canadian Constitution, the challenges before Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people will intensify."