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Aboriginal People across Canada Invited to Get Involved in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay

The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) has committed to achieving unprecedented Aboriginal participation in the planning and hosting of the Games. Part of the Aboriginal program includes a new addition to the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay: over 300 Aboriginal youth, elders and athletes nominated by their communities will have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to be torchbearers, flame attendants or honorary elder fire keepers during the 106-day and 45,000-km journey across Canada.

This new program was designed by VANOC in partnership with the Four Host First Nations and other Aboriginal organizations to ensure First Nations, Inuit and Métis people play an active role in the relay. "I think it's the first time ever that Aboriginal people are very much involved in creating this event," said Pam Boyde, VANOC torch relays coordinator for Aboriginal Participation and regional route coordinator for the North. "The fact that we'll have youth flame attendants with us for the whole relay to help take care of the flame, that's quite unique. And I don't know of any other time when the Olympic Flame received over 100 traditional Aboriginal blessings. These blessings will be part of the flame that lights the cauldron at the Opening Ceremonies. That is truly special."

"The Olympic Flame's message of hope, peace and respect resonates deeply with Aboriginal peoples in Canada," said Tewanee Joseph, executive director and chief executive officer of the Four Host First Nations, comprising the Lil'wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh. "As we host a world event we want our young people to feel the pride as they come out to witness the procession of the Olympic Flame as it makes its way across the country."

Aboriginal torch relay-related opportunities

The Olympic Flame will visit approximately 115 Aboriginal communities across Canada, and Aboriginal people will have the opportunity to be involved in three main areas: torchbearers, flame attendants and honorary elder fire keepers.

In the torchbearer program, you can be nominated for one of the 71 language youth torchbearers positions: 43 First Nations, seven Inuit and 21 Métis. If you're involved in sport and in your community, you can be nominated as one of 20 hero torchbearers. These represent Aboriginal heroes in sport as well as urban community heroes who are mentors and inspirational figures. The Aboriginal communities on the torch relay route will each select a community torchbearer. Torchbearers must be aged 13 or older to be eligible.

Recognizing the Aboriginal tradition of fire keepers, 12 youth will be selected to participate in the flame attendant program. These individuals will accompany the torch relay to help maintain the lanterns and keep the backup Olympic Flames burning. Once lit, the Olympic Flame cannot be extinguished until the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games. Flame attendants will also help escort torchbearers while the flame is carried and passed from torch to torch. Candidates must be aged between 19 and 25 on October 30, 2009.

In the honorary elder fire keeper program, Aboriginal route communities may nominate a respected elder from their community to be their honorary fire keeper who will perform a short welcoming and blessing ceremony of the Olympic Flame when it visits the community. Fire keepers traditionally play an important role in Aboriginal communities: they keep fires burning and teach the spiritual meaning of fires. The role of honorary elder fire keeper on the relay is seen as an honour and as an acknowledgement of the person's commitment to their nation's traditions.

Candidates interested in the language youth torchbearer and flame attendant positions are encouraged to contact their Aboriginal organizations (Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Métis National Council/Métis Nation BC, Aboriginal Sport Circle, and National Association of Friendship Centres). Torch relay route communities will be responsible for selecting their fire keepers and community torchbearers. To be considered for Aboriginal torch relay positions, nominees must strive for excellence in whatever they do, be community minded and be positive role models.

"The torch relay is a journey to unite all of Canada," Pamela Boyde continued. "We look forward to celebrating the power of the Olympic Flame with Aboriginal communities across the country and showcasing our unique Aboriginal heritage to the world. We hope that future Organizing Committees might be inspired and learn from our experience."