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

To mark National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS) flag was permanently raised at BCLC’s head office in Kamloops.

BCLC says the flag was raised to acknowledge that the head office is located in Tk’emlúps and that employees are guests on the Tk’emlúpsemc.

The flag is also meant to show the lottery corporation’s respect for Tk’emlupsemcúlecw, or the land of TteS, says a spokesperson in a release.

“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.

“Our leadership at TteS is grateful for the acknowledgement and the spirit of this meaningful moment in our relationship, enacting a real strong step in reconciliation and extending appreciation of this symbolic gesture today, on National Indigenous Peoples Day 2023.”

Participants were led in song, prayer and ceremony byKukpi7 Casimir and councillors, representatives from the Tk’emlúps Language and Culture Department and representatives from the Tk’emlups 13 Grassroots Family Advisory Council.

“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.”