For the first time, the flag representing Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc was permanently raised at BCLC’s head office in Kamloops today, National Indigenous Peoples Day.
The flag was raised to acknowledge that BCLC’s head office is in Tk’emlúps (the confluence, a place name referring to where the rivers meet); that our employees are guests of the lands’ rightful title holders, Tk’emlúpsemc (the people of the confluence); and that BCLC and our employees respect Tk’emlupsemcúlecw (the territory of the people of the confluence).
“We are very pleased that BCLC will be adding our Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc flag as a permanent addition to BCLC’s head office,” said Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir, Chief of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc. “Our leadership at TteS is grateful for the acknowledgment and the spirit of this meaningful moment in our relationship enacting a real strong step in reconciliation and extend appreciation of this symbolic gesture today, on National Indigenous Peoples Day 2023.”
Flying the flag of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc is a symbol of BCLC’s commitment to building true and meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples and developing a better understanding of its impact on Indigenous communities.
“Raising the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc flag at BCLC’s head office encourages our employees, our players and visitors to our office to reflect on the past, present and future of our relationships with Indigenous Peoples,” said Pat Davis, BCLC President and CEO. “The flag serves to remind us of the inherent title and rights of First Nations and our duty to continue to leverage the power we all possess to affect change. It was an honour to bear witness to this moment in BCLC and Tk’emlúps history on National Indigenous Peoples Day – a reminder that our job is not done.”
At the event, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Kukpi7 (Chief) and Tkwenem7íple7 (Councillors), representatives from the Tk’emlúps Language and Culture Department and representatives from the Tk’emlups 13 Grassroots Family Advisory Council led participants in song, prayer and ceremony before BCLC’s senior executive and Tk’emlúps leadership joined in raising the flag together.
