A consortium of First Nations and municipalities will together explore the possibility of hosting the 2030 Winter Olympics.
Lilwat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh nations, alongside City of Vancouver and Resort Municipality of Whistler, announced a Memorandum of Understanding Friday (Dec. 10), which will see collaboration with the Canadian Olympic and Canadian Paralympic committees and other stakeholders to examine the effects and benefits of hosting another winter games, stated a press release.
The memorandum will see creation of a sa国际传媒淗ost Nations Exploratory Assembly for the consideration of a 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games bid,sa国际传媒� the statement said. The assembly will work with the committees to look into how feasible sa国际传媒�2030 Games concepts for the regionsa国际传媒� are and will all in the group reviewing.
sa国际传媒淭he feasibility analysis will focus on collective benefits and priorities, and on how the bidding process can set frameworks for government partnerships.sa国际传媒�
Vancouver and Whistler previously were the site of the 2010 Winter Games and while there was First Nations involvement, many leaders said it was lacking. The memorandum is a step in reconciliation, they said at the announcement at the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame in Vancouver.
sa国际传媒淭he difference between 2010, was we were an invitee at that time and today, we are a big part of the exploratory group sa国际传媒� politically, presently, I feel we have a greater presence and a voice on our lands,sa国际传媒� Chief Dean Nelson, of Lilwat First Nation. sa国际传媒淚 also feel we are in a better place of inclusion in respect to political advancements, since previous Olympics. Thatsa国际传媒檚 why Isa国际传媒檓 looking forward to be part of this.sa国际传媒�
Kennedy Stewart, Vancouver mayor, said steps to examine a 2030 bid are much different than the situation in 2010.
sa国际传媒淲here the 2010 games included Indigenous representation, the 2030 games cannot proceed without the free, prior and informed consent of these four nations sa国际传媒� that is what the City of Vancouver is doing today with the signing of this historic MOU, [one] which at its core is four nations inviting two municipalities to explore hosting the 2030 Games on their territories,sa国际传媒� Stewart said.
When asked about how the games would be funded, Stewart said it would be discussed as the process progresses, and that he has discussed the matter with the federal and provincial ministers.
sa国际传媒淟ike the last Olympic and Paralympic games, those costs will be spread across the various organizations sa国际传媒� the benefit of having it in this region, of course, we already have many facilities that are all ready to go, as opposed to another city, where theysa国际传媒檇 have to build everything from scratch.sa国际传媒� Stewart said.
READ ALSO:
Like us on and follow us on .
