From the 2010 Olympics to the World Cup, Vancouver has pioneered Indigenous inclusion

Scattered among the many big screens airing World Cup matches and the food stands with local fare like poutine Vancouvers fan festival includes exhibits recognizing the host citys Indigenous communities the Squamish the Musqueam and TsleilWaututh nationsThe First Nations have been involved in more than just the fan fest however They are partners with the local World Cup organizing committee drawing on a tradition started at the 2010 Winter OlympicsIts the latest example of how Indigenous inclusion has increasingly figured into big sporting events from the 2023 Womens World Cup in Australia and New Zealand to the 2028 Los Angeles OlympicsVancouvers goal was to ensure that the First Nations were at the table in the planning process for the World Cup and ultimately provide a platform that brings awareness to the citys Indigenous communities and creates a lasting legacyWhat we found in the 2010 Games and also now is that one of the main messages is to share the diversity of culture that we have Were not all the same and I think that also we dont just live in history books were living and thriving today said Tewanee Joseph major sports entertainment and marquee events secretariat for the Squamish NationTradition from the OlympicsJoseph was CEO of the Four Host First Nations for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics which took place on the traditional territories of the Squamish TsleilWaututh Musqueam and LilWat nationsThe groups involvement in the Winter Games marked the first time that Indigenous people were recognized by the International Olympic Committee as official host partnersVancouver wasnt the only city to draw Indigenous communities into its World Cup planning In Seattle the Puyallup Tribe was an official Presenting Legacy Sponsor of SeattleFWC26 the citys host organizationTorontos opening ceremonies for the World Cup included Indigenous dancers and Peguis First Nation musician William Prince while the fan festivals Tkaronto Market featured local wares and artIn Mexico FIFA collaborated with the National Fund for the Promotion of Handicrafts to promote Indigenous artisans on folk art products with soccer themesFIFA is recognizing Indigenous communitiesAhead of this World Cup FIFA made Indigenous engagement a central pillar of its sustainability and human rights strategy promoting respectful collaboration with communities across all three host countriesIn 2023 FIFA partnered with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for the Unite for Indigenous Peoples campaignThe initiative was a centerpiece of the 2023 Womens World Cup hosted by New Zealand and Australia FIFA led by a panel of six Indigenous women ensured both Australias First Nations and New Zealands Maori cultures were includedIndigenous terms were used on all signage and flags were flown at stadiums In New Zealand the traditional karanga call of the Maori was performed before each match while in Australia the pregame ceremonies included a welcome to country by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander eldersAnd its not just FIFA Organizers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics drew from the Indigenous history of lacrosse to bring the sport back to the games as a medal event for the first time since 1908The Haudenosaunee formerly known as the Iroquois are considered the inventors of the sport and have lobbied with their supporters to compete in the LA Games as an independent nation but so far have been unsuccessfulBringing World Cup visitors backPaula Amos of Indigenous Tourism BC said the outreach during the World Cup is vital Indigenous tourism has a 11 billion economic impact to British Columbia each year according to Destination BC with 31 of international visitors seeking Indigenous experiencesWere saying once the final whistle blows thats not the end of it because we are here to inspire visitors to want to come back and bring their families back and have an experience an Indigenous tourism experience Amos said Vancouver is the great gateway into the province so were using it to make sure that were highlighting all areas of the province so that we make sure that people will come back but they want to explore moreA lasting legacyAs partners in the planning and staging of the event each of the three First Nations will receive 6 million for legacy projects The Squamish plan to build a youth soccer field in West VancouverBut the most important legacy is intangibleMy favorite part is seeing our members from our nation walk the streets of Vancouver participate at the fan fest sit here at our own watch events and the pride that they show because people ask questions about our culture they ask about how important we are they let us know that Joseph said For us to see our members there front and center with their chin up held high and being proud To me those are so many of the memories I have Its really the people and the interaction between the people and the culturesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed 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