Dispatch 2 from from the 2010 Winter Olympics: Opening Ceremony at the Aboriginal Pavilion

By Andy Wanning

I took the “Canada Train” from the airport into downtown Vancouver – the newest line of their “Skytrain”, a high-speed, nearly inaudible train which seamlessly connects to their subway system. This line was built especially for the Games and is a high-profile legacy for Vancouver.  I wondered if the Indigenous community projects which were established as a result of collaboration with Olympics organizers would prove as durable.

Vancouver was obviously in full Olympic spirit, and the opening ceremony was still five days away.  I proceeded a few blocks to the International Media Center, where I was met by Alex, the media relations person who proved to be an invaluable host throughout my stay.  He brought me to the impressive Aboriginal Pavilion, also known as the Chiefs’ House, which had been erected a week or so before, with an equally impressive totem pole in front of it, called the Legacy Pole, built especially for the Games. Aside from the domed Pavilion, there were several spaces inside, all simplistically beautiful with tasteful decorations: an Elders’ Lounge, a performers’ waiting area, and a “trading post”.

Then on to the main event: the official opening ceremony for the Pavilion, where the Four Host First Nations (FHFN) – the Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh – had prepared a gathering place for the Indigenous people of Canada that would show the best of themselves to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people during the 2010 Games.

“We are ready to welcome the world,” declared FHFN CEO Tewanee Joseph, commencing the event.  “We have invited Aboriginal people from across Canada to join us here at the Chiefs’ House for the world’s biggest potlatch, and they have accepted. Olympic visitors to our pavilion will see first-hand the diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis culture.”

Joseph then conducted a “witness ceremony”, in which he called on supporters of the Pavilion to stand, be recognized, and return to their communities to report on what they had witnessed at this gathering.

Musicians from the FHFN then demonstrated their traditional drumming and singing to the crowd’s delight.

Next, Joseph invited the four Chiefs of the FHFN to come to the podium and share a few words.  First to speak was Leonard Andrew, Chief of the Lil’wat Nation.  “One has only to look at the design of this pavilion to see how the Games have brought us together.  The fusion of Interior and Coast Salish design for the dome and curved longhouse symbolizes how closely, and respectfully, our four Nations have come together – to ensure the fullest possible Aboriginal participation and successful Games.  These Olympics are different from Torino,” added Andrew.  “There, we were guests, but now we are hosts.  We need to act appropriately.” [Photos here

Next was Ernie Campbell, Chief of the Musqueam Nation.  “It seemed like yesterday that we received the bid for the Olympics.  Since then, we have been treated with nothing but honor and respect.  I’m proud of our participation in these Games, proud of our partnership with our friends and families in the other Host First Nations, and proud to be welcoming the world to our territories as full partners in these Olympic and Paralympic Games.” He closed on a lighter note: “When I was in Prague, where Vancouver was awarded the bid for the Games, I was with Premier Campbell and then [Vancouver] Mayor Larry Campbell.  Mayor Campbell said, ‘With this many Campbells, how can we lose?’”

Chief Bill Williams of the Squamish Nation spoke next, announcing the opening of the Aboriginal Artisan Village and Business Showcase on February 12.  “This location will feature the work of Aboriginal artists from across the country, and showcase a range of Aboriginal businesses – businesses that are eager and prepared to participate fully in the modern economy.”

Finally, Justin George, Chief of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation declared, “Something has happened here that makes me very happy.  I never thought I’d see the day when all four nations have come together.  We’ve had hundreds of years of history together, but we’ve never come together like this.”  Then, referring to the many non-Indigenous partners as well, he remarked, “This gathering here today reminds us that there is room for many paddlers in one canoe.  But when we paddle together, with one heart, one mind and one spirit, great things can happen.” 

Joseph then called attention to the unprecedented cooperation that the FHFN has had with governmental agencies, including the Vancouver National Organizing Committee (VANOC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).  They had been working steadily together for over ten years in anticipation of this moment and the events of the next three weeks.

He then welcomed these leaders to the podium.  First was the Honorable Gary Lunn, Federal Minister of Sport and of the Olympics, who called himself a “proud partner and contributor” in the cooperative work of organizing the Games.   “We’re very excited about the artist village and aboriginal showcase.  These people are ready to take advantage of their commercial potential.  There has been unprecedented Aboriginal participation in these initiatives as well.  Regarding this Pavilion, I think it will be one of the most memorable parts of the Games.”

“These are the first Olympics in history that will be co-hosted by Aboriginal people,” declared the next speaker, British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell. “This followed a vision by Jack Poole to include Indigenous people in an unprecedented way.”  (Jack Poole, a proud member of the Métis Nation, was the former chairman of VANOC and a motivating force behind this partnership, and had passed away only a few months beforehand.)  “I also must acknowledge Tewanee Joseph for his vision and persistence for the past eight years.”

Laughter rippled around the audience as the next speaker, Hereditary Chief Gibby Jacob of the Squamish Nation and member of the VANOC board of directors, came to the podium.  He quickly explained this reaction: “Well, looks like I’m going first, since and Gregor [Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson] and I just ro sham bo’d, and I lost.”  He also thanked Joseph for his work, and observed that, “When we first conceived of this partnership, we were determined that this wouldn’t be just beads and feathers.  We were determined, as representatives of the traditional lands on which the Games would take place, to assume our rightful place front and center.  And we have.” 

The ro-sham bo winner, Mayor Robertson, spoke next.  “In addition to this incredible partnership we have achieved in preparing for the Games, we were determined that this event should also be a springboard toward as many lasting Aboriginal community initiatives as possible.” He also praised Joseph not only for his leadership during the Games but his musicianship, citing Joseph’s band, Bitterly Divine, in which Joseph performs lead vocals.  “They let me play the drums once, as well,” he noted, to the audience’s surprise and delight.

Finally, VANOC CEO John Furlong recounted a story which occurred during the Olympics’ early planning stages.  “We sought out advice from many trusted colleagues, including Phil Fontaine [former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations].  After we finished laying out our vision of Indigenous participation in the Games, Phil thought about it for a bit, leaned forward and said, ‘If you accomplish these things, you will achieve more than we have for 100 years.’  It was a profound and humbling moment, and has driven my work since then.  There is no part of these Games that does not include full participation by Indigenous peoples.”

“I think you can see and feel the level of partnership and the relationships we’ve developed throughout this process,” observed Joseph, citing the comfortable, indeed jocular, nature of the proceedings despite their serious import.  “These relationships will continue onward, long after the Games have ended.”

Joseph then introduced Tzinquaw, a traditional Aboriginal song and drum/dance group from the Cowichan First Nations, and Beverly Lambert and the Butter Town Jiggers, a Métis dance group. They were followed by David Serkoak, who performed an Inuit drum dance

As one of the evening’s highlights, Joseph introduced the premiere of the film “We Are Here”, which was displayed on the interior of the dome; due to its translucent quality, the projection can also be viewed outside the dome at night.  “In making this video, we solicited film clips and photographs from Indigenous peoples throughout Canada.”

The screening was, quite simply, a remarkable multimedia experience. During the extended applause that followed, Joseph repeatedly exclaimed, “We are here!  We are here!” Even among these hardened media professionals, one could see many glistening eyelashes as the lights came back on.

Joseph then introduced Jody Wilson-Raybould, the elected Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations of British Columbia, which comprises over 200 first nations.  “Indigenous peoples are finally taking their rightful place in this country,” she exclaimed to further applause.

Next, Clément Chartier, President of the Métis National Council, reflected on the historical import of this event.  “This event has come about after a decade of relationship-building.  It is a model for collaboration in going forward.  It is hard to believe what we’ve accomplished, as we reconcile the fact that this year is the 125^th anniversary of the Battle of Batoche, when our leader [Louis Riel] was executed.”

Finally, Mel Benson, an Aboriginal and member of the Board of Directors of the energy company Sunco (which commissioned the Welcoming Pole situated outside the pavilion), said he was proud to be affiliated with this partnership: “I’ve been on a high since yesterday!  These are stories that we will tell our grandchildren.”

Joseph then brought the event to a close, noting that, “This is our time to celebrate.  People will feel our energy.  We know how to party.”

He then welcomed the audience to attend a reception in the Jack Poole Reception Hall, where he and government officials granted interviews and food was served.

Thus far, the indigenous participation and partnership I had heard so much about was impressive indeed.

By the way, if you’ve enjoyed reading this and viewing the photos, I’d highly recommend visiting the FHFN website here.