‘It’s bigger than us,’ Indigenous-led 2030 Olympic bid paddles forward

Despite some concerns that Vancouver might pull out of helping the Indigenous-led 2030 Olympic bid move forward, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) spokesperson Sxwíxwtn (Wilson Williams) says tough conversations at a city council meeting have made the team, and bid, stronger.

“It’s just part of the process. And I think what came out of last week’s dialogue and discussions was, we may veer or get stuck in some currents, but it made our team stronger,” he said. “Not only the four Nations, but the Municipality of Whistler, City of Vancouver, Canadian Olympic Committee, and Canadian Paralympic Committee — there was some clearing of the air, if you will.”

The four Nations, which also include Lil̓wat7úl (Líl̓wat), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), and səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, presented to Vancouver City Council last Monday, in a sometimes tense but ultimately fruitful meeting, which ended with the city deciding to continue to help the 2030 bid along.

“Things were said that needed to be said to make things stronger, on both sides,” Williams explained.

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Calling the City of Vancouver a city of reconciliation, Williams said the four Nations not only held them accountable to that, but reminded them of all the “great things they’ve done, and the vision that has got us to this point.”

With a bid formed with cooperation from other governments under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the National Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, Williams says the potential of an Indigenous-led Olympics doesn’t just show the power of sport, but the power of unity, and shows Indigenous Peoples that they can be leaders in their broader communities.

“And be role models for reconciliation throughout the country,” he said. “When we put things in context like that, it becomes bigger than us — in our roles as either politicians or leaders of our respective communities.”

Soon to meet with Interior Secwépemc communities where Sun Peaks Resort lies, Williams said the team will be utilizing their cultural and traditional practices to build foundational trust and relationships.

“Reconciliation is not just building relationships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous [people], it’s putting our guard down, and building relationships with Indigenous and Indigenous Peoples in our communities, so we can be stronger together.”

Williams says the bid is ready to go to Victoria to invite the province into the process, and ask them to “get in the canoe with us, just as the Sun Peaks Nations are preparing to do, as well.”

“We’re ready to go to Victoria, to lead the way and push this bid process forward. And we’re ready to go to Ottawa, to meet with the federal government as well and ask them to be part of this journey. And you know, and it’s unimaginable what the power sport can do, with the power of communities — it’s reconciliation.”

Williams highlights that Call to Action 91 focuses on hosting international events, and recognizing Indigenous territories, while respecting cultural traditions of respective Nations.

“We call upon the officials and host countries of international sporting events such as the Olympics, Pan Am, and Commonwealth games to ensure that Indigenous peoples’ territorial protocols are respected, and local Indigenous communities are engaged in all aspects of planning and participating in such events,” the call says.

He says that while the International Olympic Committee is very supportive, it’s the first of its kind, and the process and boundaries are new for everyone.

“But, we’re out there knocking on doors, as Indigenous leaders and communities to say, ‘Hey, come and join us.’ It’s something that Indigenous Peoples have done since time immemorial — we’ve done it with other surrounding Nations to either trade or share abundance of resources and trade,” Williams explained.

Getting in the canoe and working with the Indigenous-led Olympic bid is reconciliation in action, Williams said, and provides an opportunity for a stronger relationship moving forward.

“If we’re looking at really becoming not just the city of reconciliation, but we look at all respective communities that are involved, it’s changing the narrative with the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee. We’re strengthening our ties with the Municipality of Whistler, the City of Vancouver, and the four Nations are really leading the way for other Nations to say, ‘Hey, this is reconcili-‘action’ here.

“We want to tell that story. And we’re living the story now.”