COUNTDOWN TO VANCOUVER 2010 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES
The Four Host First Nations Logo
 The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will welcome the world to the shared ancestral territories of the Four Host First Nations ~ the Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh. The mission of the Four Host First Nations is to facilitate engagement between the Nations and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) to ensure that the Games are successful and that the Nations’ languages, traditions, protocols and cultures are meaningfully acknowledged, respected, and represented in the planning, staging and hosting of the Games.
This logo reflects the unique culture and spirit of the Four Host First Nations, respecting each other and working cooperatively together, united within the sacred circle of life. The rim of the logo represents the creator and our ancestors watching over a human face symbolizing each of the four nations. In the centre, four feathers point to the cardinal directions – north, south, east and west – inviting and welcoming the nations of the world to come to the Games. The feathers can also be seen to symbolize our arms stretched up and open, welcoming and extending respect to all visitors. It is the tradition of the Coast Salish people to welcome visitors, or to compliment for something well done, by saying “I hold my hands up to you”.
Vancouver 2010’s four host First Nations
– the Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh
– are proud partners in the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Because the Games will be staged in the shared traditional
territories of the Four Host First Nations, the Host Nations recognized
the significance of their involvement early and played a positive
and integral role in Vancouver/Whistler’s successful Bid.
On November 24, 2004, the Chiefs and Councils of the Four Host First
Nations entered into an historic Protocol Agreement where they agreed
to coordinate their collective efforts to host and support the 2010
Olympic Games.
“One of the most
significant legacies is the involvement of the First Nations in
the planning process and post-Games legacies.”
~ Report of the IOC Evaluation Commission, 2003
“This protocol (FHFN
and VANOC) outlines how we’re going to continue working together,
to achieve an unprecedented level of Aboriginal participation in
our Games, not just because we should, but because it’s going
to make our Games more interesting and more memorable.”
~ Jack Poole, Chairperson, VANOC Board of Directors, 2005
“The International
Olympic Committee has always insisted that there be inclusion and
respect for the First Nations.”
~ IOC President Jacques Rogge, 2005
“VANOC and the Four
Host First Nations will raise the bar internationally for building
partnerships between Organizing Committees and Indigenous peoples.”
~ John Furlong, VANOC President and CEO, November 2005
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