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A rich Indigenous history across the west coast

Did you know that there are 203 distinct First Nations in British Columbia? With 47 of our terminals located across the west coast, we operate within the territories of over 80 of these communities.

The bays and sheltered waters that house our terminals have been important to First Nations since time immemorial. Many were First Nations villages, parts of key transportation networks or other significant sites, which means that our operations are centrally located in areas of both historical and current significance.

Our Indigenous relations team focuses on relationship building with Nations, facilitating project-based engagement and consultation processes, building organizational capacity, and establishing strategies, plans and policies that support our work with First Nations.

Goals, guiding documents and milestones

Corporate goals
BC Ferries is committed to building and fostering relationships with the First Nations in whose territory we operate by:

1. Establishing mutually-respectful relationships with First Nations who have historical ties to lands and water where BC Ferries operates

2. Proactively supporting recognition of local First Nations’ culture on vessels and in terminals

3. Fostering internal cultural awareness and capacity-building to support meaningful engagement with First Nations

4. Supporting project-based engagement and information sharing with First Nations

5. Seeking economic participation of First Nations through the operations of BC Ferries Services
Guiding documents
Relationship protocols
BC Ferries has signed Protocol Agreements with Snuneymuxw First Nation and W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip First Nation) to guide our work together and establish a framework for collaborating on areas of mutual interest with each Nation.

These Protocols are based on the recognition of the inherent rights of the Nations as established under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 and treaty rights. These agreements also affirm the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as the framework for reconciliation between the two parties.

The Indigenous relations team is building relationships with other Nations and where desired, working on similar protocols. 

 
Group standing beside BC Ferries ferry Pune'luxuttuh

MV Kuper renamed Pune'luxutth

Motor vessel Kuper renamed Pune’luxutth to honour Indigenous heritage.

Read the full article 
Workers standing at BC Ferries Horseshoe Bay terminal moving totem pole

Totem repatriation

Famed Indigenous carver's 57-year-old totem returns home to his family.

Read the full article 

Recognizing and honouring Indigenous Peoples

Contact us

Send us an email to connect with our Indigenous relations team. 
 
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