Overview of the UNN

On April 28, 1969 the BC Association of Non-Status Indians (BCANSI) was formed in order to address the political and socio-economic concerns of Non-status aboriginals in British Columbia.

BCANSI formally changed its name to the United Native Nations Society (UNNS) in 1977 as a more accurate depiction of its membership (Status, Non-status and Metis). However the mandate of the Society continues to work toward the betterment of all Aboriginals living off reserve in BC.

Membership qualifications is based solely on Aboriginal ancestry, not on definitions created by an outdated Canadian Indian Act. Our major concern is to properly represent and protect the interest of the Aboriginal people who currently have no voice on government decisions affecting their life and culture.

Currently the UNNS is working in concert with the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, which is a National organization representing Off-Reserve, Non-Status, and Metis people, and is headquartered in Ottawa; the UNN provincial head office is located in North Vancouver.

U.N.N.S. Objectives

The United Native Nations Society (UNNS) is a provincial non-profit organization incorporated in 1969 in the province of BC with the objectives of:

* To organize and unite together Aboriginal peoples in the province of BC for many purposes of the society
* To carry out programs consistent with those of a charitable organization for the relief of poverty among the Aboriginal peoples of BC
* To carry out programs, for the advancement of the level of education, training, and opportunity among the Aboriginal peoples of BC. The Society shall be carried on with the objects of gain for its members and directors of any profits or other accretions to the UNNS shall be used promoting its objectives
* To ensure there be just resolution of Land Claims and Aboriginal Rights in BC
* To act as Lobbying force of Aboriginal peoples with all levels of government