December 10, 2021
Líl̓wat Nation to be part of exploration of historic Indigenous-led Olympic bid
2010 Games Four Host Nations to examine feasibility of hosting 2030 Winter Olympics
Líl̓wat Nation is proud to announce that it will be exploring participating in the first ever Indigenous-led bid to host an Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Líl̓wat has joined xwməkwəy’əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations in entering a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with City of Vancouver and the Resort Municipality of Whistler, convening a Host Nations Exploratory Assembly to examine the feasibility of an Indigenous-led bid for the 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The four First Nations have also invited Vancouver and Whistler municipalities, the co-host cities for the 2010 Winter Games, to join in these discussions.
“The Líl̓wat Nation is pleased to partner with the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, Whistler and the City of Vancouver to consider launching a bid to host the 2030 Games,” said Kúkwpi7 Skalúlmecw Chief Dean Nelson.
Working with the Host Nations Exploratory Assembly, the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees, and other stakeholders, Líl̓wat Nation will consider the impacts and benefits of hosting the 2030 Winter Games. As part of this process, Líl̓wat is committed to ongoing community engagement as it works towards developing a hosting concept focused on collective benefits and priorities.
Líl̓wat and the other three nations have significant Olympic experience, having served as The Four Host Nations of the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Those Games marked the first time there was meaningful Indigenous participation in an Olympic Games. An Indigenous-led bid for the 2030 Games would build on that success.
“The Nation’s participation in the 2010 games as a bid partner was ground-breaking,” said Kúkwpi7 Skalúlmecw Chief Dean Nelson. “With this announcement — and our desire for this to be the first Indigenous-led bid for an Olympic Games — we continue to lead the way in Indigenous participation in major events.”
The creation of the Host Nation Exploratory Assembly also addresses Action 91 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada 94 Calls to Action that ensures that Indigenous peoples’ territorial protocols are respected, and local Indigenous communities are engaged in all aspects of planning and participating in such events.
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