Coastal First Nations Condemns Fulmer for Alleged Disinformation Campaign

Coastal First Nations condemns Fulmer over “disinformation” claims about organization

Coastal First Nations President Marilyn Slett has strongly refuted B.C. Conservative leadership candidate Yuri Fulmer’s characterization of the alliance as “just an advocacy organization,” labeling his statements as “disinformation.”

“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.

The controversy stems from a video Fulmer released that connects images of Canadian flag-burning and pro-Palestinian protests in Vancouver with speeches by Gaagwiis Jason Alsop, elected president of the Haida Nation and a Coastal First Nations board member. The video portrays the organization as obstructionist to development projects.

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

Fulmer further claims the organization, officially registered as the “Great Bear Initiative Society,” is a political advocacy group funded by “left-wing American and international foundations” to the tune of millions of dollars.

The Coastal First Nations (CFN), which operates as a registered non-profit, declined to provide a specific list of donors when requested, citing donor privacy and noting that it meets all transparency requirements under B.C.’s Personal Information Protection Act.

Slett acknowledges that the organization receives some international funding but emphasized that decision-making authority rests solely with its board, comprised of elected and hereditary leaders from the member nations.

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

The organization also disputes Fulmer’s characterization of their stance on development projects. CFN maintains their advocacy specifically targets heavy oil tanker traffic in territorial waters – an activity prohibited since 2019 under federal law. The issue has gained renewed attention amid Alberta’s recent push for a new oil pipeline to the North Coast.

Slett warned that such mischaracterizations have serious consequences, revealing that she has personally experienced online harassment through direct messages and emails, while others have attempted to expose personal information of the organization’s employees.

In a paradoxical twist, Fulmer’s own investment firm, Fulmer & Company – which operates nearly three dozen A&W franchises across western Canada – has previously donated to the Coastal First Nation’s Great Bear Rainforest Carbon Project. When questioned about this apparent contradiction, Fulmer defended his company’s support.

“As a company, we believe in conservation,” he stated. “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 engaged on a government-to-government basis – particularly notable after Prime Minister Mark Carney and federal officials recently met with the organization’s leadership – Fulmer sidestepped the question, returning to his concerns about foreign funding.

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

The dispute highlights ongoing tensions around Indigenous governance, resource development, and political funding in British Columbia. It also reflects broader national debates about foreign influence in Canadian affairs and the appropriate recognition of Indigenous governing bodies.

In a written statement, Slett called for Fulmer to apologize, warning about the potential dangers of his rhetoric.

“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.”

As the B.C. Conservative leadership race continues, this exchange underscores the complex interplay of Indigenous rights, environmental concerns, and political positioning that defines much of the province’s contemporary political landscape.