2010 Olympic Legacy Agreements

On June 13th, 2008, the Government of Canada announced the conclusion of Olympic Legacy Agreements with the Musqueam First Nation and the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation which will help ensure that Aboriginal people share in the economic, social, and cultural benefits of hosting the 2010 Winter Games.

Minister Strahl also said that “these agreements will help the Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations seize the tremendous opportunity the 2010 Winter Games present to build lasting, positive legacies for present and future generations.”

Musqueam Chief Ernie (Ernest) Campbell and Minister of INAC and Federal Interlocuter for Metis and Non-Status Indians, Chuck Strahl sign the Olympic Legacy Agreement on June 13, 2008.

The Legacy Agreements provide the Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations with $34 million to be used for the acquisition of lands, capacity building, business development, skills enhancement and other economic development opportunities.

“The Musqueam people are proud to welcome the Olympics, and the world, to our traditional territory,” said Chief Ernest Campbell. “This honourable agreement will help us build a stronger, healthier community and ensure that current and future generations of the Musqueam people will share in the legacy of the Olympics.”

“Tsleil-Waututh welcomes all athletes, participants and visitors to our territory to celebrate the 2010 Games,” said Chief Leah George-Wilson. “Our culture, our land and our people are our most valuable assets. This Legacy will enable us to repatriate some of the land that is critical to us for our community’s future.”

Along with the Squamish and the Lil’wat First Nations, the Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh Nations will be hosting many of the 2010 events on their traditional land.

Four Host First Nations Secretariat President Tewanee Joseph, National Chief Phil Fontaine, Chief Leah George-Wilson, Minister Chuck Strahl, and Former Chief Leonard George at the signing of the Olympic Legacy Agreement at Tsleil-Waututh.

This Legacy Agreement recognizes the valuable contribution and participation of the Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh Nations in the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Squamish and Lil’wat Shared Legacy Agreements

In November 2002, the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation (which later became VANOC), and the Government of British Columbia signed a legally binding Shared Legacies Agreement with the Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations that outlined specific legacy commitments for these two First Nations.