China Daily reports that for the first time in Olympic Games history, an organizing committee has recognized indigenous peoples as official partners in the Olympic Games.
Vancouver 2010 is to have “unprecedented” Aboriginal participation in the planning and hosting of the Winter Games through the development of strong relationships with First Nations peoples across Canada, reports the newspaper.
The 2010 Games are being held on traditional and shared traditional territories of the Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, know as the Four Host First Nations.
The relationship between Vancouver 2010 and the First Nations is an important factor in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) selecting Vancouver as the host city for the 2010 Winter Games.
Gary Youngman, VANOC consulting director of Aboriginal participation said, “the Four Host First Nations plays an essential role in the Games planning, and their participation in the whole process from planning to hosting is a goal for VANOC to achieve”.
Meanwhile, in light of protests that marred the Beijing 2008 torch lighting ceremony, Vancouver 2010 organizers are looking at their plans for the 2010 torch relay, reports the Ottawa Citizen.
Chris Brumwell, spokesman for Vancouver 2010 said, “I think it is fair to say that everybody’s watching closely. Each event and each host country operates with unique circumstances. Our team is over there now and they will bring knowledge that we can use in our own planning for our Games in 2010”.
