The Four Host First Nations Society

Leading up to 2010, the Government of Canada has committed up to $2 million over five (5) years to the Four Host First Nations Society. The funding is transferred through the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Aboriginal Peoples Program.

Four Host First Nations Society Executive Director Tewanee Joseph speaks at the official launch of the Venues Aboriginal Arts Program at the newly completed UBC Thunderbird Stadium on July 7, 2008.

This funding supports the Four Host First Nations Society’s mandate to ensure that the cultures and traditions of the four First Nations’ hosting of the 2010 Winter Games on their traditional territory are acknowledged, respected, and showcased throughout the planning, staging, and hosting of the 2010 Winter Games.

The $2 million contribution will assist the Four Host First Nations Society in their work with other 2010 partners, as well as in the initiatives created to achieve their mandate.

For example, the Four Host First Nations Society successfully hosted a 2010 Aboriginal Business Summit from January 31 to February 2, 2007. The Summit brought Aboriginal entrepreneurs and businesses from across Canada to Vancouver to explore 2010 business opportunities. Topics included building, supplying, and retail licensing, as well as opportunities in tourism, arts, and culture.

The Four Host First Nations have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), which increases its reach to Aboriginal communities across Canada through the use of existing AFN resources and networks, and will have the opportunity to engage more First Nations peoples in 2010-related events.

In May 2008, the Four Host First Nations Society led an Aboriginal business and cultural mission to Beijing. The delegation of 37 participants included representatives from the Four Nations, Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Métis Nation British Columbia, the Nisga'a Nation, and Aboriginal artists, performers and businesses. The delegation participated in the official opening ceremony of the British Columbia – Canada Pavilion in Beijing, and co-hosted a business reception to promote trade and investment opportunities in various sectors.

The delegation was also invited to the University of Nationalities in Beijing to showcase and share Aboriginal culture with the students and faculty. The highlight of the multi-day event was the collaborative art piece between two First Nation artists and two Chinese artists that was unveiled at a sold-out evening event of Aboriginal and Chinese performances before an audience of 500 people.

The Four Host First Nations’ mission to Beijing was supported by the participants, the Four Host First Nations, the Province of British Columbia as well as various federal departments, including Indian and Northern Affairs, Western Economic Diversification, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.