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 含羞草研究社淗ost Nations Exploratory Assembly for the consideration of a 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games bid,含羞草研究社� the statement said. The assembly will work with the committees to look into how feasible 含羞草研究社�2030 Games concepts for the region含羞草研究社� are and will all in the group reviewing.
含羞草研究社淭he feasibility analysis will focus on collective benefits and priorities, and on how the bidding process can set frameworks for government partnerships.含羞草研究社�
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.
含羞草研究社淭he difference between 2010, was we were an invitee at that time and today, we are a big part of the exploratory group 含羞草研究社� politically, presently, I feel we have a greater presence and a voice on our lands,含羞草研究社� Chief Dean Nelson, of Lilwat First Nation. 含羞草研究社淚 also feel we are in a better place of inclusion in respect to political advancements, since previous Olympics. That含羞草研究社檚 why I含羞草研究社檓 looking forward to be part of this.含羞草研究社�
Kennedy Stewart, Vancouver mayor, said steps to examine a 2030 bid are much different than the situation in 2010.
含羞草研究社淲here the 2010 games included Indigenous representation, the 2030 games cannot proceed without the free, prior and informed consent of these four nations 含羞草研究社� 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,含羞草研究社� 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.
含羞草研究社淟ike the last Olympic and Paralympic games, those costs will be spread across the various organizations 含羞草研究社� 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 they含羞草研究社檇 have to build everything from scratch.含羞草研究社� Stewart said.
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