BCAFN – In just one year, the Province and the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) have worked together to deliver on promises to share provincial gaming revenues and introduce legislation that enshrines the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration) in provincial law. The Declaration will make BC the first province to implement these internationally recognized human rights into provincial law, creating a framework for reconciliation between the provincial government and Indigenous peoples in B.C.

More than $70 million in new revenue has made it into First Nations communities since a gaming revenue-sharing agreement was signed in August 2019 to support self-government and self-determination for First Nations, as well as strong healthy communities and services that make life better for families. In just two months, almost 170 First Nations have joined the newly formed B.C. First Nations Gaming Revenue Sharing Limited Partnership.

Nearly $200 million in provincial gaming revenue was transferred to the limited partnership in August 2019, representing the first two years of funding. In October 2019, amendments to the Gaming Control Act were passed. These amendments will pave the way for a long-term agreement that will see more than $3 billion shared with First Nations over 25 years.