In Their Words: Tewanee Joseph
Feb 25, 2008
Tewanee Joseph is a member of the Squamish First Nation of Canada. He grew up on the Capilano Reserve in North Vancouver, British Columbia, where he excelled at a number of sports including lacrosse. Now, as the chief executive officer of the Four Host First Nations Society, Joseph works on behalf of the Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations — on whose shared traditional territories the Games will be held — to ensure that the Nations’ traditions and protocols are recognized and respected in the planning and hosting of the Games.
As Official Partners in the 2010 Winter Games, the Four Host First Nations played an integral role in Vancouver’s successful Games bid, and will continue to have a key role in hosting and staging extraordinary Games in 2010.
Canadians will be Proud by Tewanee Joseph
As we celebrate the two-year mark in the countdown to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, I’m reminded of just how much we’ve accomplished since Vancouver won the bid to host the Games in 2003. In fact, I first started on this project in 2003, working on behalf of the Four Host First Nations.
From early on, the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation welcomed the participation of the Four Host First Nations in the planning process. It was a partnership based on mutual respect, understanding and the desire to bring the world’s most dynamic sport and cultural celebration to Vancouver and Whistler.
The Nations’ support for the Games was recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as an important factor in Vancouver’s successful bid.
Today, we work with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) and our partners to ensure that the Games are successful, that an unprecedented level of Aboriginal participation is achieved, and that a positive legacy is left for future generations.
As John Furlong [VANOC Chief Executive Officer] so often says, “these are Canada’s Games”. In that spirit we are reaching out to invite First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples from across Canada to be a part of the 2010 Winter Games experience — either here in Vancouver, or within their own communities. We are building partnerships with national and regional Aboriginal organizations so that we can share the rich and diverse cultures of Aboriginal peoples in Canada with the rest of the world.
My fondest memory so far is witnessing my 20-month-old son's excitement as he met the Olympic Mascots (which are First Nations-inspired) for the first time. His favorite mascot is Quatchi which has also become one of his first 30 words in life. It's moments like this that I will never forget.
Looking back, I am so proud of what we’ve accomplished as Official Partners so far — not only on behalf of the Four Host First Nations, but for all Indigenous peoples. I believe we are building an Olympic Games that future Host Cities can learn from and that all Canadians will be proud of.
On behalf of the Four Host First Nations, and in the spirit of friendship, we welcome you to our traditional territories.
In Their Words Series
In Their Words is a celebration of the two-year countdown to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. This 17-part series is comprised of personal stories written by Olympians and leaders with a passion for the Games. Visit vancouver2010.com every day from February 12 to 28 for a fresh story of inspiration, triumph and hope.
In TheirWords: Kristi Richards
InTheir Words:François-Louis Tremblay
InTheir Words:Dominique Maltais
InTheir Words:Johann Olav Koss
InTheir Words:Joannie Rochette
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