Many First Nation leaders say the 2010 Games took them out of the shadow and into the limelight.
"It's one of the first times we've become visible in our own lands, we've been invisible for so long, ignored and any instances that we became more visible was when we were being moved out of our different reserves," says Squamish First Nations chief Gibby Jacob.
"For Squamish our efforts to seize the agenda were successful and these relationships that we developed over the pre-Olympics really paid dividends for us. I think our ability to show people that once we started things we could conclude them...it was if we got ours it was because everybody else got some as well."
Squamish, along with the Lil'wat, Musqueum and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations partnered early on in the Games process to make sure their voices and wants were addressed as the event planning got under way.
Known as the Four Host First Nations (FHFN) they set up shop and became an integral part of the planning from securing building contracts to appearing in opening and closing ceremonies.
Though not all First Nations members shared a supportive view of the event, backers say that the Games provided a very public platform for their people to showcase their traditions and ability to successfully navigate the modern world.
Some might argue that having to seize the agenda instead of being more naturally integrated in the process shows the degree to which local First Nations groups are still outside of the provincial and federal decision making process, but Jacob isn't sweating the implications.
As part of the Olympic Legacy, the Squamish Nation was given an additional 300 acres in the Whistler Valley and has support from both levels of government to finance it. Domestic financial sponsors of the Games also brought in a significant cash flow to the groups, including a $3 million donation for the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre from Bell Canada.
A depleted economy and high building prices caused cost overruns in the completion and operation of the centre, forcing the Squamish and Lil'wat bands to sell 24 acres to pay off the debt but the remainder of the land is intact and will be used to develop townhouses in the future.
FHFN executive director Tewanee Joseph said learning to manage land and maximize business opportunities collectively among themselves has helped strengthen relations inter-tribally and with the rest of the community.
"Now they can have better conversations about what is better for the region...I think this is a model for indigenous people around the world," says Joseph, who consults with aboriginal groups around the globe and will soon leave for New Zealand to work with the Māori people leading up to the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
"When it comes to the culture, people had a very narrow view of our culture and what it was but now realizing that if we can partner the way we did in these Games, we can tackle the complex issues that we have in this country whether it's suicide rates or poverty issues - for us that was probably the most important legacy of the Games, showing that we can work together. These are the examples that say we can make a difference."
The involvement of First Nations groups from across the country in the Opening Ceremony and at the First Nations Pavilion created interaction between aboriginal tribes with vastly different customs. They do, however, share histories that are entrenched in the vestiges of colonialism. More than 90 First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists representing every province and territory participated in the programs, which included the creation of over 140 works of art. Of these, approximately 40 will remain in the venues as a permanent legacy of the Games. A portion of the proceeds from the rest will go to the Vancouver 2010 Aboriginal Youth Legacy Fund.
"The Aboriginal Pavilion had over a third of a million people through it, it was the most visited venue out of all of those pavilions," explains Jacob. "People were interested in what we had to say and how we portray our people, because you know what? We're a mystery to everybody. That's one of the positives of us getting our message out there - dispelling all these myths and absurdities that people think about us."
Among the firsts achieved during the 2010 Winter Games was Jacob's presence on the board of directors of the 2010 Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC). He was the first indigenous person to participate at this level in a Winter or Summer Games, although VANOC's bid committee head Jack Poole revealed late in his life that his bloodline was distantly linked to the Cree.
Not all First Nations people in B.C. felt the Olympics were beneficial to their people. Scandal arose in the fall of 2009 when the Cowichan People of Vancouver Island lost a bid to make the Games' official sweaters to the Hudson Bay Company, which then crafted sweaters in the Cowichan tribe's signature knitting style.
Other First Nation protests were staged in the lead-up to the Games to draw attention to a lack of government priorities on issues such as education, health care and housing on reserves. These same protesters criticized FHFN for "selling out" their cultural heritage to big business and disrespecting traditional land titles. Peter Barry of Pemberton took part in the protests and, unlike Joseph and Jacob, says the detrimental effects of the Olympics are visible everywhere.
"Have you driven through Mount Currie?" he asks.
"If you take a drive through Mount Currie you'll answer the question of whether it (the Olympics) was good for First Nations and it's of course not. When they talk long-term jobs for native people all they mean is 'we'll give you training on how to stand on the road with a sign'," says the long-time local, who has made a bid for mayor in the Resort Municipality of Whistler three times.
"What are we doing offering them jobs on their land? What are we doing building roads and then saying we'll give you training to work on the highway on their land? We have no right to do that in the first place."
When asked if every Olympic initiative planned for the First Nations had come to fruition, both Jacob and Joseph agreed that their expectations have been surpassed. They were especially complimentary of the 2010 Aboriginal Youth Legacy Fund, which provides education, culture, sports and ability opportunities to First Nations young people. With 60 per cent of the Squamish First Nations under the age of 25, and 50 per cent under the age of 19, job creation is a high priority for tribal leaders.
"The numbers gives you a scope of why we need to be successful in the things we're doing," says Jacob.
"Nobody is lining up to give us anything."
Adds Joseph: "The one area we are looking at is how can we employ and build skills because that's the most important thing because right now we're underrepresented in the work force.
"Our unemployment rates are too high and I think you can build pride by going to work every day, you're not having to rely on government or go cap in hand to government all the time for grants, we don't want to do that.
"What you're seeing with each of the Four Host First Nations is a more prominent role economically but also in employing their people as well."
