---
title: "Grand Chief Stewart Phillip endorses David Eby for premier and Emily Lowan in Saanich North"
description: "Grand Chief Stewart Phillip has endorsed BC NDP Leader David Eby for premier and BC Green Leader Emily Lowan in her own riding, citing his break with the NDP over Indigenous rights legislation."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/bc/provincial-2026/news/stewart-phillip-endorses-eby-lowan-2026"
last_updated: "2026-10-17T18:42:31.179Z"
---

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip has endorsed BC NDP Leader [David Eby](/bc/provincial-2026/candidates/david-eby) as premier of British Columbia while separately endorsing BC Green Leader [Emily Lowan](/bc/provincial-2026/candidates/emily-lowan) in her riding of Saanich North and the Islands, the Indo-Canadian Voice reported on 16 October 2026.

In a statement published by the Voice, Phillip said: "I strongly support the principles and ideology of the BC NDP under David Eby, and call on British Columbians to place your trust in David Eby this election. He is the best choice as leader of this Province." Phillip also said Eby "has a good heart, and true genuine friends and allies are forever."

Phillip explained his personal connection to Eby. The two have known each other for more than 20 years, and Eby attended the funeral of Phillip's wife, Joan Phillip, and went to her graveside in their community. Joan Phillip was an NDP MLA in Eby's government until her death in 2024.

## The Lowan endorsement

In the same statement, Phillip endorsed Lowan in her specific district. "I supported BC Green Leader Emily Lowan in her candidacy in Saanich North and the Islands, a riding that the Greens have held for the past three elections, because she has earned my full respect and admiration and is part of our future," he said, as quoted by the Voice.

CBC reported that Lowan posted the endorsement on her social media. Phillip told CBC he was "totally honoured" to endorse her candidacy.

Phillip's endorsement of two different parties in the same statement reflects the fact that premier and local MLA are chosen in separate decisions on the same ballot. Voters in Saanich North and the Islands choose between local candidates, while voters across BC choose a government by supporting a party or candidate in their own riding.

## The break with the NDP

The Indo-Canadian Voice reported that Phillip fell out with Eby's government over how the NDP handled the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), legislation the NDP passed in 2019 to align BC law with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

In his statement, Phillip also addressed the BC Conservative Party. He described Conservative Leader [Lorne Doerkson](/bc/provincial-2026/candidates/lorne-doerkson) as the leader of "a deeply divided, dated and bitter" group of candidates who "represent our colonial past." Phillip said the Conservatives "think First Nations people need to be conquered," a phrase that echoes a separate controversy involving a Conservative candidate's remarks at a debate. Doerkson's campaign did not respond in the Voice article.

Eby's response to the endorsement, as reported by the Voice: "I'm deeply honoured to have the support of my friend Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, one of our strongest champions for justice."

Voters going to the polls on 24 October 2026 can find each party's platform on First Nations relations at [/bc/provincial-2026/parties/](/bc/provincial-2026/parties/). Advance voting runs from 16 to 21 October.

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/bc/provincial-2026/sitemap.md) for all pages.