COAST SALISH TERRITORY, VANCOUVER, B.C. (Jan. 27, 2026) –– Marilyn Slett, elected Chief Councillor of the Heiltsuk Nation and President of Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative, is condemning BC Conservative Party leadership candidate Yuri Fulmer for spreading disinformation and smearing the reputation of Coastal First Nations (CFN).
Fulmer posted a video on X that includes visual references to flag-burning, hateful anti-Semitic rhetoric, protestors, and resource projects that have nothing to do with CFN leadership, its member communities, or align with its purpose.
Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative is an alliance of eight First Nations on the North and Central Coast and Haida Gwaii led by the elected leadership of its respective communities, over which each Nation holds individual Rights and Title.
CFN’s mandate is to protect our coast while building a sustainable economy, something we have done successfully for over 25 years.
This smear campaign is breathtakingly hypocritical given Fulmer’s own company endorsed and celebrated the work of CFN as recently as fall 2022, going to far as to showcase it on his company website.
Chief Slett issued the following statement in response to Fulmer’s narrated video:
“This is a new low and shows the depths people like Yuri Fulmer are willing to go when they have nothing substantive to say. Mr. Fulmer should be ashamed of spreading the kind of disinformation and propaganda we’ve come to expect from politicians in the US, not here in Canada.
“Spreading this type of disinformation sows division between First Nations and other British Columbians and serves to further inflame existing tensions. In a time of heightened political conflict across the continent, this is irresponsible and dangerous and could result in real harm to our communities. It is also very hypocritical.
“Launching cheap attacks on our leadership and our communities is part of a broader attempt by Mr. Fulmer and others to divide our province and to discredit our successful track record of environmental protection and economic development.
“CFN work includes policy, technical and administrative support to our member Nations, and no funder – whether government, philanthropic, or corporate – directs our shared goals and objectives, which are rooted in our deep connection to the lands and waters we have called home for at least 14,000 years. Our work has evolved through rigorous scientific research, responsible stewardship, community engagement and is supported by extensive Indigenous knowledge.
“Our Nations have spent the last quarter century delivering results and are proud of the successful agreements we have signed with governments of all political stripes that are protecting our environment, creating permanent jobs, delivering billions of dollars to BC’s GDP, and building a sustainable, diverse economy that supports the livelihoods of thousands of coastal residents.
Mr. Fulmer – and others who have intentionally amplified and shared this type of disinformation – should apologize to our leadership and our community members and immediately correct or remove it. British Columbians deserve better.”
Media Contact:
Caitlin Thompson
Director of Communications
Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative
cthompson@coastalfirstnations.ca
250-305-8756
