FIRE has been described by its representatives as non-partisan and without political affiliations or endorsements. Membership is said to come from all political persuasions, and suggestions that FIRE has right-wing inclinations are rejected. The British Columbia Foundation for Individual Rights and Freedoms Equality was incorporated near Penticton, with 160 members, in August 1995. Its mandate was to fight back against perceived government inaction over local land disputes and against the province's commitment to negotiate treaties with First Nations in British Columbia. BC FIRE claimed a membership of more than 2,500 by early 1997.
Funding comes from membership fees, donations, and sale of promotional items.
These committees had been set up by the federal and provincial governments to provide treaty negotiators with policy input, comments and advice from non-aboriginal groups concerned about the effects of treaties on local economic interests. In the view of one Friend who has been involved in the treaty negotiation process, the statement is little more than a catastrophizing rationale for opposing the specifics of this agreement, and treaties in general. Policy papers expressing industry's opposition to the treaty process, such as the 1996 brief produced by the Council of Forest Industries, are also passed to members. In addition, FIRE has supported Share BC's initiative to sue the NDP government over its proposed diversion of funds from the BC Forest Renewal Fund, and is associated with the efforts of the Fisheries Survival Coalition to oppose exclusive Aboriginal fisheries. This conflict led to the fatal shooting of a Native protester, Dudley George, and the subsequent conviction of an Ontario Provincial Police sergeant for negligence.