Vancouver 2010 and the Four Host First Nations Society announce historic Aboriginal Licensing and Merchandising Program for the 2010 Winter Games

VANCOUVER, March 5 – Authentic Aboriginal art from Canada will be showcased to a worldwide audience and Aboriginal youth will directly benefit from a historic Aboriginal Licensing and Merchandising program agreement between the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) and the Four Host First Nations (FHFN) Society. VANOC and the FHFN welcomed the Development Corporation of Nunavut today as the first participating licensee in the program outside of British Columbia. The agreement provides the framework for the parties to cooperate on developing licensed retail products in four key areas: authentic Aboriginal art and products; the integration of Aboriginal graphics into Vancouver 2010 branded merchandise; a series of products featuring the Four Host First Nations logo; and numerous other products featuring Aboriginal themes and icons, such as canoes, paddles and drums.

The first of its kind in Olympic history, the licensing and merchandising partnership will result in one third of VANOC’s royalties from sales of these products being contributed directly to a fund for Aboriginal youth, supporting education, sport and cultural initiatives for youth within the Four Host First Nations, as well as First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada.

“Today is an important day for our people. Together with VANOC and our Aboriginal partners we are writing history by celebrating our diversity. Our young people are our future and we hope to inspire and support them as they build their dreams,” said Tewanee Joseph, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer for the Four Host First Nations.

Joseph celebrated this program last week in participating with VANOC Chief Executive Officer John Furlong in a private signing ceremony witnessed by International Olympic Committee President, Dr. Jacques Rogge.

“We are committed to achieving unprecedented Aboriginal participation in the planning and hosting of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games and we are pleased to have authentic licensed merchandise that represents the culture of the Four Host First Nations and Aboriginal peoples from across the country,” said Furlong.

The announcement today was highlighted by the participation of members of the Government of Nunavut who signed on as the first program participant from outside of British Columbia. The Nunavut Development Corporation, a Crown corporation of the Nunavut territory, will facilitate the development of authentic, hand-carved inuksuit(1) from across Nunavut that will be showcased as part of the 2010 Winter Games retail product line. More than 1,200 Inuit artists are expected to participate in the program, carving inuksuit in one of 11 distinct community styles or forms.

“Today’s agreement for the licensing of made-in-Nunavut inuksuk(2) carvings will guide consumers to authenticity,” said Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik. “It allows us to share the story of the inuksuk, our communities and our world-class artisans. The program respects the origin and cultural importance of inuksuit and opens the doors for Inuit to experience, first-hand, the wonders of the Games.”

“I’d like to thank Premier Okalik and the people of Nunavut for joining us in welcoming the world to the traditional territories of the Four Host First Nations, and helping us articulate the soul of the Games through their unique Inuit culture of which the inukshuk is a central element,” said Premier of British Columbia, Gordon Campbell. “This is a wonderful example of collaboration and we look forward to connecting with all regions of Canada to truly capture and showcase the strength of Canada’s diversity.”

“The Vancouver 2010 Aboriginal Licensing and Merchandising Program is a wonderful example of how VANOC is living up to its commitment of including Aboriginal peoples across Canada and ensuring Aboriginal participation in all aspects of the Games,” said the Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics. “This program is an excellent way to showcase the diversity of Aboriginal arts and culture from across the entire country.”

In addition to creating a monetary legacy for Aboriginal youth, the Vancouver 2010 Aboriginal Licensing and Merchandising Program is also intended to raise awareness about the Aboriginal peoples of Canada and their cultures – one of a number of shared focus areas for both VANOC and the FHFN. Other shared focus areas include: cultural involvement; economic development; sport and youth; and a focus on partnerships and collaboration such as building relationships with other Aboriginal peoples, First Nations, Inuit and Métis, across Canada.

The Games spotlight provides a unique opportunity to increase the profile and understanding of the Aboriginal community, including its diversity, history, talents and skills. As such, the FHFN and VANOC have been working in partnership to develop opportunities for Aboriginal people in Canada. Today’s announcement is one example of how Aboriginal arts and culture has become part of the Games experience.

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.

The Four Host First Nations Society is a not-for-profit organization that has been established to coordinate the participation in the 2010 Winter Games by the Lilwat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.

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For further information: Media Contacts: Chris Brumwell, Director, Media Relations, VANOC, (778) 328-6269, chris_brumwell@vancouver2010.com; Tewanee Joseph, Executive Director, Four Host First Nations, (778) 327-5775; Karen Kabloona, Press Secretary to Premier Paul Okalik, Government of Nunavut, (867) 975-5059