2010 WINTER GAMES

For the first time in any major international sporting event in the world, Canada’s Aboriginal peoples will fully participate in all aspects of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. The goal of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) is to achieve unprecedented Aboriginal participation in the planning and hosting of the 2010 Winter Games. In 1999, the International Olympic committee (IOC) adopted Agenda 21: Sport for Sustainable Development, which includes the objective to "strengthen the inclusion of women, youth and Indigenous peoples in the Games."

Building strong relationships with Aboriginal peoples is critical to achieving the goal of unprecedented Aboriginal participation for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. VANOC is working closely with local, provincial and national Aboriginal groups - First Nations, Inuit and Métis - both in Games planning and in sharing information with the Aboriginal community.

One of VANOC's partners in the planning and hosting of the Games is the Four Host First Nations. These Nations residing in the Vancouver and Whistler areas - the Squamish, Lil'wat, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh - have been involved since early in the Bid process. All four Nations continue to be active participants in the planning of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games.

Find out more about Vancouver 2010's Aboriginal participation activities at www.vancouver2010.com and www.FourHostFirstNations.com.