Truth & Reconciliation
Created by Indigenous artist Joshua Hunt, this illustration brings together symbols related to building and sustaining relationships.
Its circular form evokes wholeness and equality. The stars represent the sky as a guide, while the plants symbolize the land, growth, and relationships nurtured over time.
The turtle embodies truth, and the bear, courage. At the centre, two people gathered around a sacred fire represent dialogue, mutual understanding, and the ongoing commitment required to build lasting relationships.
Truth is a necessary starting point for reconciliation. It requires openly acknowledging the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization on First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples, including the role financial institutions and other institutions have played in shaping these realities.
At BDC, honouring the truth means committing to continuous learning and listening to Indigenous voices and perspectives, and ensuring this understanding shapes how we act, make decisions and build relationships. This informs our approach to reconciliation as an ongoing, long-term journey, grounded in the priorities of Indigenous colleagues, communities and entrepreneurs.
BDC’s Reconciliation Vision
At BDC, we envision a future where First Nations, Métis and Inuit entrepreneurs and employees thrive, and where inclusive growth and economic reconciliation are embedded in our work.
Our approach is anchored in our core values: to be united in the success of Indigenous entrepreneurs, guided by the perspectives, priorities and prosperity of our Indigenous colleagues and partners, and courageous in how we learn and act to advance Truth and Reconciliation.
BDC Leadership Commitment Statement:
BDC’s leadership is accountable for advancing reconciliation, with progress measured not only by what we deliver, but by how we show up, listen and respond to the priorities of Indigenous Peoples. This accountability is embedded in our governance and informed by Indigenous insight.
At BDC, we are committed to genuinely listening to and learning about the priorities, opportunities and issues that affect First Nations, Métis and Inuit entrepreneurs, communities and colleagues.
As a Crown Corporation and Canada’s only business development bank, we commit to responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 92, now and into the future.
BDC employees are supported in learning, taking action and nurturing respectful and long-lasting relationships with Indigenous Rightsholders, communities, organizations and colleagues across Turtle Island.
We prioritize meaningful contributions to the Indigenous economy and, recognizing Indigenous nations' right to self-determination, will engage respectfully to support tailored business solutions.
Our progress in advancing truth and reconciliation will be reported transparently and evidenced by the stories shared by community members.
Our Areas of Focus
BDC approaches truth and reconciliation as a long‑term commitment embedded in our strategy, governance and daily practice. Rather than relying on ad hoc actions, our approach centres on interconnected areas of focus that together advance reconciliation in a coherent and sustained way.
At BDC, our work in this area is grounded in respect for Indigenous self‑determination and the diversity of Indigenous economic models. We recognize that economic success is defined by Indigenous Nations and entrepreneurs themselves—beyond access to capital alone.
Our role is to help address structural barriers to financing, investment and business support while contributing to long‑term, Indigenous‑led economic prosperity through partnership, adaptation and trust.
Our actions include:
- Expanding access to capital through investments in Indigenous-led funds, partnerships, and platforms that enable Indigenous businesses to grow and scale, such as the Indigenous Growth Fund.
- Mobilizing a dedicated Indigenous Entrepreneurship team to support Indigenous entrepreneurs coast-to-coast.
- Providing tailored financing solutions for Indigenous entrepreneurs, such as the Indigenous Entrepreneurship loan.
- Partnering with Indigenous‑led and community‑based financial institutions, such as First Nations Bank of Canada.
- Offering advisory services and curated learning resources to strengthen capacity, build skills and support long-term business success.
Community relations at BDC are grounded in humility, long‑term relationship‑building and a willingness to learn. Progress is shaped through ongoing dialogue and community feedback.
Our actions include:
- Engaging with Indigenous communities, entrepreneurs and partners to understand their experiences with BDC and the barriers they face, and using these insights to strengthen and course-correct our approach
- Using what we hear from communities to inform decisions, priorities and ways of working across BDC
- Working with Indigenous-led and Indigenous-serving organizations that support economic and community development
BDC works to increase Indigenous representation across the organization while advancing culturally safe, respectful, and equitable workplaces for First Nations, Métis and Inuit employees.
Our actions include:
- Strengthening recruitment, development and retention to better support Indigenous employees at all stages of their careers
- Fostering a workplace where Indigenous employees feel respected, supported and able to bring their perspectives and experiences to the workplace
- Elevating Indigenous voices through the Indigenous Employee Resource Group, which helps share BDC’s approach to reconciliation.
- Building awareness across the organization through learning programs on Indigenous histories, rights, and contemporary realities, including the 4 Seasons of Reconciliation program.
At BDC, reconciliation is supported by strong governance and leadership, ensuring it is embedded across the organization and sustained over time.
Our actions include:
- Integrating reconciliation into BDC’s governance and planning processes to support consistent action across the organization.
- Supporting a cross‑functional Working Group that connects teams, shares insights andand helps coordinate action.
- Ongoing learning for the Board and senior leaders to support informed, respectful decision‑making.
- Tracking and reporting on our progress to strengthen transparency and follow-through.
- Advancing our commitment through initiatives such as the PAIR certification program.
Historical milestones
- BDC creates the Indigenous Banking Unit
- BDC establishes the Aboriginal Development Fund.
- The Bank also launches the Growth Capital for Aboriginal Business (GCAB) program (1998).
- The Bank forms a partnership with the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) (2010)
- BDC establishes the Indigenous Employee Resource Group (2014)
- BDC updates the GCAB program and renames it the Indigenous Entrepreneur Loan (2017).
- BDC creates the Inclusive Entrepreneurship team, with a priority focus on Indigenous entrepreneurs.
- The Bank launches the Indigenous Growth Fund (IGF).
- BDC establishes a partnership with the École des dirigeants des Premières Nations (EDPN).
- The Bank launches Fund II with Raven Indigenous Capital Partners.
- The 4 Seasons of Reconciliation training is introduced to staff and SMEs.
- BDC enters into a partnership with SOAR.
- BDC launches the Indigenous Entrepreneurship Platform.
- The Bank announces a $100 million platform for Indigenous businesses through BDC Capital.
- BDC launches the Inclusive Entrepreneurship Loan, the Indigenous Talent Strategy and the Indigenous Associate
- Program and initiates the Reconciliation Roadmap strategy — Year 1 (Reflection).
- The Bank creates the Community Banking Unit
- BDC launches a $100 million initiative with the First Nations Bank of Canada (FNBC).
- The Bank adopts the Indigenous Relations Policy and publishes the Public Leadership and Vision Commitment Statement.
- BDC completes PAIR Committed level — Phase 1 and opens the first on‑reserve branch in Tsuut’ina Nation.
Land Acknowledgement
BDC acknowledges that our work takes place on the ancestral, traditional and unceded territories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across what is now known as Canada. We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the original stewards of these lands and waters and honour Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing that continue to sustain communities today.
BDC's Head Office is located in Tiohtià:ke, also known as Montréal, on the unceded territory of the Kanien'kehá:ka Nation, a place that has long been a site of gathering, trade and relationship for many Indigenous Peoples.
Our presence across the country exists within diverse treaty areas and Indigenous homelands. We acknowledge the enduring rights and relationships Indigenous Peoples maintain with their lands and our responsibility to uphold the spirit and intent of treaties where they exist.