Reconciliation
True economic reconciliation is not simply about participation in projects — it is about creating meaningful partnerships where Indigenous communities are involved in governance, stewardship, decision-making, and long-term economic opportunity. It means building models that recognize Indigenous leadership, support community capacity, and create sustainable benefits that extend across generations.
Stselxmēms re Stselxmẻm
Co-created by the Neskonlith, Adams Lake Indian Band, Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw, and Splatsin, as well as industry partners like BCTS and Tolko and provincial partners such as the Ministry of Forests, the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship and the Ministry of Indigenous Rights and Reconciliation. This project represents a groundbreaking approach to reconciliation, shared stewardship, and collaborative forest management.
O’Leary & Associates received a provincial (BCEDA) Economic Reconciliation Award for this project recognizing our work in collaborative forest stewardship and community-centred economic development.
Trans-Canada Highway Twinning
This project encompasses the 4-lanning of the Trans-Canada Highway from Kamloops to the Alberta border, which spans 5 traditional territories and represents over $1.7 billion in value. O'Leary and Associates was hired to help facilitate consultation and design development for portions of the project, which had been at a stale-mate for years. First Nations communities are always expected to follow Provincial and Federal processes, which are unfortunately rooted in historical grievances.
Our approach with this project was to flip it 180: We started by Tsk?elél?nemstcwes re stet?ex7ém (listening to the Elders) and built an indigenous process deeply rooted in Secwépemc tradition and law, while at the same time ensuring it met all the requirements of the Province and Canada. The result: going from a stalemate to 92% support for the project to proceed.
O’Leary & Associates received a national award from EDAC, which recognizes excellence in community initiatives in economic development sector across Canada.
BCLC IRAP
BCLC’s Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan (IRAP) is an exceptional example of organizational leadership and meaningful commitment to reconciliation. Developed through an intensive 14-month, cross-organizational collaboration involving internal teams and external partners, the IRAP establishes a comprehensive framework for embedding Indigenous rights, perspectives, and reconciliation into BCLC’s policies, operations, and corporate culture. What makes this initiative particularly remarkable is its commitment to moving beyond statements of intent toward measurable, systemic change—creating meaningful opportunities for Indigenous employment, business procurement, relationship-building, and economic participation. Grounded in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, the IRAP demonstrates how a major Crown corporation can translate reconciliation commitments into practical actions and provide a compelling model for other organizations across Canada.
O’Leary & Associates – Turning Vision into Meaningful Impact
At O’Leary & Associates, we believe that exceptional outcomes begin with bold thinking, meaningful collaboration, and the courage to challenge conventional approaches. Our firm brings together expertise in economic development, strategic planning, Indigenous relations, community engagement, and innovative project management to help organizations navigate complex challenges and create lasting change. What sets our approach apart is our ability to move beyond traditional consulting—transforming am
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Whether you're planning ahead or responding to change, we'd love to hear about your project.
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