Indigenous Relations

Learn more about our commitment to establish and maintain good relations with Indigenous Peoples in our province.

Our commitment

Indigenous Reconciliation is a priority for BCLC. 

We continue to establish and improve relationships with Indigenous rights and title holders, Indigenous governments and Indigenous employees within BCLC, with the ultimate goal of collaborating on and developing an Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan that aligns our policies and programs, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration), the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act), the Declaration Act Action Plan, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action. 

We have made early steps towards improving recruitment, retention, training and advancement opportunities for Indigenous people within BCLC. We are also improving access to procurement opportunities for Indigenous-owned businesses and introduced mandatory employee training regarding Canada’s colonial history with Indigenous peoples. 

BCLC’s Senior Manager, Indigenous Relations, is helping lead us on our journey towards building and maintaining good relations with Indigenous Peoples. This role oversees our collective work of:

  • Establishing a clear and sustainable path to lasting reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and an understanding of what the provincial government’s unanimous passage of the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act means for BCLC.
  • Creating, implementing and aligning new and existing policies, programs and communications across BCLC.
  •  Building relationships, consulting and collaborating with Indigenous Peoples, and non-Indigenous stakeholders. 
  • Measuring progress on our journey to remedy socio-economic disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

 

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$107.5

million

B.C. First Nations Revenue Sharing

Every year, First Nations receive a seven percent entitlement of BCLC net income through the BC First Nations Gaming Revenue Sharing Limited Partnership.

Corporate goals

As a social purpose company, we can only achieve our vision and purpose through intentional and meaningful engagement and collaboration.  

Meaningful relationships are one of BCLC’s overarching strategic goals and are critical to our success. 

Our relationships with our employees, Indigenous title and rights holders, and stakeholders are what set us apart and create future business opportunities. 

Decolonizing BCLC’s operations and fostering equitable relationships includes the understanding that: 

  • Most of British Columbia is on unceded territory; with a colonial past that created immeasurable harms. 
  • The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada call on organizations to decolonize their practices and foster authentic relationships with Indigenous Peoples. 
  • BCLC offers gambling products in and near Indigenous communities that have impacts on the lives, health and interest of Indigenous Peoples. 
  • BCLC has embarked on the journey to create a better understanding of, and relationship with, Indigenous Peoples and communities. 
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BCLC's priority actions include:

Finalizing and implementing an Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan. 

Creating and implementing educational programing for all employees to build understanding and cultural awareness of Indigenous communities.

Developing programs to improve access to employment and advancement opportunities for Indigenous people. 

Developing programs to ensure that BCLC's operations have a positive economic impact on Indigenous people.

Guiding documents

The Province of B.C. Mandate Letter
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act)
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration)
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan
Distinctions-Based Approach Primer December 2023

Recent articles

BCLC hosts Indigenous-owned businesses at showcase event

On November 5, 2024, BCLC’s headquarters was buzzing with activity as it hosted more than 100   attendees for an Indigenous Vendors Showcase. Held in collaboration with Sc.wén̓wen Economic Development Corporation, the City of Kamloops and Thompson Rivers University (TRU), the goal of the event was to connect Indigenous-owned businesses with purchasers from within the region.

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Learning through art: BCLC collaborates with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc on c7ístkten̓ presentation room

When employees and visitors enter BCLC’s refurbished presentation room—c7ístkten̓—they’ll quickly notice a bright and vibrant vinyl art installation. The historically accurate artwork is a culmination of several members of the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc and other Bands within Secwepemcúl̓ecw, including traditional knowledge keepers, who shared insight with Indigenous artist Laura Saul.

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Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Flag Raised at BCLC’s Head Office

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.

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PLATO Internship with Matthew Antoine

Matthew Antoine joined BCLC as a software-testing intern through PLATO. As a young Indigenous person, he shares insight into his experience working at BCLC through this program and how it reaffirms his chosen career path in technology. 

Contact us

If you have feedback for our Indigenous Relations team at BCLC, we'd love to hear from you!

If you are an Indigenous community or organization looking for support for an event, please visit our sponsorships page.