Coastal First Nations Accuses Fulmer of Spreading Disinformation

Coastal First Nations condemns Conservative candidate for “disinformation” about organization

Coastal First Nations President Marilyn Slett has strongly rejected claims made by B.C. Conservative leadership candidate Yuri Fulmer that characterized the alliance as “just an advocacy organization” funded by foreign interests. Slett called Fulmer’s statements in a recent video and social media posts “disinformation” that misrepresents the nature and purpose of the alliance.

“We’re a coalition, an alliance of communities that have very ancient and old relations amongst each other, that ties us together,” said Slett, who also serves as chief of the Heiltsuk Nation. The alliance represents nine First Nations across British Columbia’s north coast region.

Fulmer’s controversial video begins by linking foreign financial influence in B.C. politics with images of Canadian flag-burning and pro-Palestinian protests, alongside speeches by Gaagwiis Jason Alsop, elected president of the Haida Nation and a Coastal First Nations board member.

“Time and again, we keep hearing that Coastal First Nations are opposed to any pipeline and will stop any development,” Fulmer claims in the video. “But here is the thing: the Coastal First Nations is just a name, like Coke or Nike.”

He further alleges that the organization, officially registered as the “Great Bear Initiative Society,” is a political advocacy group established with millions in funding from “left-wing American and international foundations.”

Slett acknowledges that the registered non-profit does receive some foreign donations but emphasized that the organization’s board, consisting of elected and hereditary leaders from the nine coastal communities, maintains complete decision-making authority.

“There is no funder, whether it’s government, philanthropic, or corporate, that directs our position or activity,” she explained. “CFN takes direction only from the leadership of its member nations.”

When asked for transparency regarding its donors, the organization responded that it adheres to B.C.’s Personal Information Protection Act requirements while respecting donor privacy.

The Coastal First Nations also contested Fulmer’s characterization that they oppose all development and oil pipelines. The alliance clarified that their advocacy specifically targets heavy oil tanker traffic in their territorial waters, which has been prohibited since 2019 under federal law. This issue has recently resurfaced amid Alberta’s renewed push for an oil pipeline to the North Coast.

Slett highlighted that such misinformation campaigns have real consequences, revealing that she has personally experienced online harassment through direct messages and emails. There have also been attempts to dox employees of the organization.

In a phone interview with Black Press Media on Tuesday, Fulmer defended his statements, maintaining that the common thread between Coastal First Nations and other protesters shown in his video is foreign funding. He advocates for banning this type of funding for politically engaged organizations.

Ironically, Fulmer’s own Vancouver-based investment firm, which operates nearly three dozen A&W franchises across western Canada, has contributed to the Coastal First Nation’s Great Bear Rainforest Carbon Project. When questioned about this apparent contradiction, Fulmer stood by his company’s decision.

“As a company, we believe in conservation,” he explained. “We are a British Columbian company, not a foreign company, a British Columbian company, and we invested in a conservation project we believe in.”

When asked whether Coastal First Nations should be recognized on a government-to-government basis—noting that Prime Minister Mark Carney and federal officials recently met with the organization’s leadership—Fulmer redirected the conversation back to his concerns about foreign donors.

“I don’t think that’s what we’re talking about here,” he said. “If our government takes money from foreign organizations, that should be disclosed too. It doesn’t matter.”

For Slett and the Coastal First Nations, however, how their organization is characterized remains a serious concern. In a written statement, they called for Fulmer to apologize for his remarks.

“Spreading this type of disinformation sows division between First Nations and other British Columbians and serves to further inflame existing tensions,” Slett wrote. “In a time of heightened political conflict across the continent, this is irresponsible and dangerous and could result in real harm to our communities.”