UBCIC Library & Archives
The UBCIC Library is a specialized research library and archives focusing on BC land rights research. We serve all researchers who have a Band Council Resolution (BCR) to conduct research on behalf of a First Nation. Researchers are always welcome, but please call ahead so reference staff and equipment times can be booked for you. Scholars, students, and other researchers may also use the Resource Centre with permission and after agreeing to abide by our Ethical Research Policy. We are a non-lending library, except for UBCIC staff and by special agreement.
The archival records of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs are also housed in the Resource Centre. These consist of the historical documents, publications, maps, posters, images, documentary films, and audio and video recordings created and received by the UBCIC since its inception in 1969. We are currently in the process of organizing these materials and creating finding aids to make them more accessible to researchers. Some of these materials are available on the Internet in our digital collections.
Online Collections, Exhibits & Resources
The Constitution Express was a 3000 mile trek to the seat of the federal government. The purpose of this journey was to tell Trudeau and his government that the Indian people have rights as the first inhabitants of this land, and that these rights have been guaranteed by treaty and historical agreement between Indian Nations and the British Government.
Materials produced by the Joint Indian Reserve Commission and the Indian Reserve Commission, 1876-1910
The Indian Child Caravan was a march and demonstration which took place in Vancouver, BC and eventually lead to the Minister of Social Services for the province of BC. The subsequent meeting of the Minister of Social Service, Grace McCarthy with the band lead to an agreement which gave the Splatsin control over their own child welfare program.
The Indian Child Caravan took place over Thanksgiving weekend, October 9-13, 1980.
The First Nations Digital Document Source (FNDDS) is a collection of electronic documents used primarily for research in land claims and First Nations issues. Documents include court decisions, legislation, treaties, claims policies, privy council orders, research guides, and instructional resources related to land claims and Aboriginal title, particularly in the Canadian context. The FNDDS is owned collectively by the Claims Research Units (CRU) research directors and is currently being maintained by the staff of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC).
The "Our Homes Are Bleeding" collection has grown out of the stories of cut-off lands in British Columbia. These stories are a part of the history of the reserve system in Canada, aboriginal title and rights and First Nations resistance to colonial assertion of land title.
These periodicals contain some of the outreach and advocacy materials – the photographs, posters, and periodicals – produced by the UBCIC since its founding in 1969.
Images from the UBCIC Archives reflecting the activities of the UBCIC over the years, organized by date and region.