COC/CPC statement on four First Nations, Vancouver, and Whistler MOU regarding Olympic and Paralympic Games exploration

COC and CPC statement on Lil̓wat7úl (Lil’wat), xwmə kwəy’əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations, City of Vancouver and Resort Municipality of Whistler MOU regarding Olympic and Paralympic Games exploration

TORONTO/OTTAWA – The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees issued a statement on Friday in reaction to the signing of an Olympic and Paralympic Games exploration memorandum of understanding (MOU). The MOU was signed by the Lil̓wat7úl (Lil’wat), xwmə kwəy’əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations, the City of Vancouver and the Resort Municipality of Whistler. 

“We applaud the signing of an MOU between the four First Nations, the City of Vancouver and Resort Municipality of Whistler. We believe there is incredible potential for a transformative Olympic and Paralympic Games in the region and support a process that explores feasibility in accordance with First Nations protocol, Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Report Call to Action 91, the United Nations Declarations on The Rights of Indigenous Peoples and BC’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 

“This MOU is also an important first step towards exploring the feasibility of bringing the Olympic and Paralympic Games back to the region. We believe this agreement provides the foundation for transformative change for future event hosting and collaborative work with Indigenous communities across Canada and the world.

“The COC and CPC look forward to working on our own Collaboration Agreement with the four First Nations in the coming weeks. This will be the next step in this process that will bring us all together based on the values of respect, inclusivity, and community to officially begin working in collaboration to assess the feasibility of 2030 Games concepts in the region.”

– Tricia Smith, Canadian Olympic Committee President, Four-time Olympian and Olympic silver medallist

– Gail Hamamoto, Canadian Paralympic Committee Vice-President

Tricia Smith, a speaking witness at today’s event, delivered the following remarks on behalf of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees:

On behalf of the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee, I would like to hold my hands up to you and thank you for inviting us to witness this historic partnership.

I am honoured to be joined here this afternoon on traditional and unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh by representatives of the national sport community who I would like to introduce to you.  

Gail Hamamoto is the Vice President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee who works here in Vancouver as the Executive Director of BC Wheelchair Sports.

Richard Peter is a four-time Paralympic medallist from Vancouver in the sport of wheelchair basketball who grew up in one of British Columbia’s largest First Nations communities – Cowichan Tribes reserve.

Lastly, Clara Hughes is a six-time Olympic medallist in the sports of cycling and speed skating and an advocate for mental health in Canada who has a strong connection with Indigenous communities across Canada.

We are all extremely honoured to be here to witness the City of Vancouver and The Resort Municipality of Whistler enter into this historic Memorandum of Understanding with Lil’wat , Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

This announcement fully aligns with our process and our commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action and is an important first step towards exploring the feasibility of bringing the Olympic and Paralympic Games back to the region.

We respect and appreciate the desire of the Nations, along with the City of Vancouver and Resort Municipality of Whistler, to move forward and begin to invite others into the conversation.

The Canadian Olympic Committee, along with our partner at the Canadian Paralympic Committee, now look forward to accepting an invitation from the Nations to work on a Collaboration Agreement of our own in the coming weeks.

This will be the next important step in this process to bring us all together based on the values of respect, inclusivity, and community to officially begin working in collaboration on the feasibility of 2030 Games concepts for the region. 

As the franchise holders of the Olympic and Paralympic movements in Canada, we believe in implementing a process that implements the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action 91, BC’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to ensure Indigenous peoples’ territorial protocols are respected and local indigenous communities are engaged in all aspects of planning and participation in Olympic and Paralympic sporting events.

Today we begin to explore the opportunity of building a Games concept focused on reconciliation through respect, inclusivity, and community – a Games concept that can be a vehicle for transformative change.

On behalf of our delegation – thank you and congratulations! 

We are extremely proud and honoured to witness this historic day.