Nations ready for Olympic opportunities

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It was a jubilant group who filled a room at the Squamish Nation Recreation Centre as the chiefs from the Lil'wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations signed an agreement to work collaboratively to maximize Aboriginal participation in the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The Four Host First Nations agreement was signed during the First Nation Summit meeting on Nov. 24. The protocol set out plans to establish a Four Host First Nations board and secretariat that will work to ensure that the protocols and traditions of the four First Nations are acknowledged and respected throughout the planning, staging and hosting of the games. The secretariat also seeks to maximize social, sporting, cultural and economic opportunities, and to work as a liaison for other Aboriginal people interested in the opportunities brought by the games.

"This is the first time in the history of the games that a colonized, Indigenous group of peoples have gotten together under one banner to showcase who and what we are," Squamish Chief Gibby Jacob said. Although the four First Nations have worked together before, this is the first time there has been a formal agreement put on paper.

"It gives me good feelings to be here, to share our culture, to share what we can bring and work together on in the upcoming years," said Lil'wat First Nation Chief Leonard Andrew. "I am proud to be here as the leader of Lil'wat to sign this paper today, but yet I know that in the upcoming years our word is just as good in regards to what we have to do."

Jack Poole, chairman of the Board for VANOC-the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games-recognized that Vancouver won the bid thanks to the support of the Four Host First Nations.

"We should not underestimate the signal that this protocol sends to the world and to the thousands of Olympians that dream of coming here in 2010. That we are united, they are working together, and it will be ready to welcome the world in 2010. We are very, very proud to be your partner. We are in good company," said Poole.

Chief Ernest Campbell, Sr. of the Musqueam First Nation shared his experience with the Olympic bid evaluation committee.

"I was approached by several members of that committee, and they were very, very concerned about the relationship between Canada, the province and the First Nations of this country," said Ernest Campbell. "I was honest and I said "Well, when we can be of help, when they need our support and co-operation we're front and centre. Unfortunately, sometimes if we're not needed, it's as if we don't exist. But we support the 2010 Olympics.'"

Collaboration and unity among Aboriginal people and all levels of government and partners as a key for making the Olympics a success was a common theme at the ceremony.

"We all have common goals. We all have the same desires and wishes in this country, and now we have an opportunity to walk hand in hand with the government, other organizations and this is a great starting place again to accomplish all those goals," said Chief Maureen Thomas of the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation.

"One of the best things that we've done so far under the 2010 banner, it's allowed us to develop a protocol that would see us share as opposed to fighting over acreages of land and resources," said Chief Gibby Jacob. "To put in place a document on how we could share fifty-fifty, no prorating for numbers of people, but just straight across recognition of each other's interests. To me that was an historic document, and I want to let you know that it's worked. It's only worked because we haven't got any money yet, so we'll be fighting later," he joked.

In a press release by the Four Host First Nations, Chief Jacob said the protocol confirms the intent of the hosting First Nations, and it establishes a clear First Nation presence in the games while protecting Aboriginal rights and title.

The interim executie director of the secretariat, Tewanee Joseph, told Raven's Eye that to his knowledge Jacob is the first Indigenous person appointed to the board of an organizing committee in the history of the Olympics.

"I think the main thing is we want to work with VANOC to build an inclusive process for Aboriginal participation from across Canada," Joseph said.

The Olympics present many economic opportunities for Aboriginal Canadians through contracting procurements for local businesses. The secretariat will also be there to help Aboriginal people who have good entrepreneurial ideas. Joseph said that he would like to see diverse sharing of Aboriginal culture in the opening and closing ceremonies, and in the cultural festivals that will happen prior to the games.

To make this happen, Joseph said that he hopes the Four Host First Nations will reach a protocol agreement with VANOC by early next spring.

The Four Host First Nations board will have two representatives from each host nation. Joseph said that they will be looking for the best people from Aboriginal communities to fill positions in communications, finance and so on to create the secretariat.