Vancouver 2010 Four Host First Nations Aboriginal Pavilion

Simply put, the Vancouver 2010 Olympics would not be possible without the support of the Four Host First Nations (FHFN) who will share their land and culture with the world during the Games.

The Tsleil-Waututh, Musqueam, Lil’wat and Squamish Nations will be hosting over fifty free events for the public from February 12th until the 28th at the Aboriginal Pavilion. This will be located at West Georgia and Hamilton Street, in the plaza of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Photo Credit: B Johnny – Artist’s rendering of pavilion & dome

“This Pavilion is our Longhouse. This is where we will welcome friends, family and visitors,” said Tsleil-Waututh Chief George-Wilson. “The Olympic focus on youth and on sport, combined with the experiences this Pavilion will offer, will become a very positive story to be told and celebrated by many generations to come.” – FHFN

Here are just a few of the activities that will feature the FHFN culture along with Inuit, First Nations and Metis:

February 12, 2010
Buffy Sainte-Marie
Performances at 9:30pm and 11:00pm

February 14, 2010 – February 28, 2010
We Are Here
A daily multi-media experience presented by the Four Host First Nations.
Six shows at 5:30pm, 6:00pm, 6:30pm, 7:00pm, 7:30pm and 8:00pm

February 16, 2010
Our Land, Our Nation, Our History
Presented by The Grand Council of the Crees and led by Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come and Deputy Grand Chief Ashley Iserhoff. Performers will present Cree songs, legends and storytelling according to the four seasons: Spring, Fruit of our Culture; Summer, Fruit of our People; Fall, Fruit of our Nation; Winter, Fruit of our Survival.
Four shows at 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm and 2:00pm

February 20, 2010
The People Behind the Inukshuk
Presented by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. The Canadian Arctic will warm up the audience to a national Inuit performance that celebrates traditional Inuit throat singing, Western Arctic and Eastern Arctic styles of drum dancing and traditional Inuit games of agility and strength.
Four shows at 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm and 2:00pm

February 22, 2010
Royal House of Hip Hop
DJs, rappers and hip hop royalty including Feenix, Team Rez Official, Ostwelve, Kaiva and Def 3.
Performance at 9:30pm until 12:00am

40 Years and Still Strong
Presented by the Dene Nation (Northwest Territories). Dene artists and athletes performing their unique, lively and fast paced handgames competition, exhibition and drum dancing. Come enjoy Dene culture, heritage and language at its finest with entertainment from across the Land of Denendeh.
Exhibit at 11:00am until 3:00pm

February 28, 2010
The Road Forward
Commissioned by the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad
Six shows at 6:00pm, 6:30pm, 7:00pm, 7:30pm, 8:00pm and 8:30pm

You can follow the Four Host First Nations account on Twitter for more information and daily updates. I would also like to encourage readers to check out the FHFN website as they have lots of images, history, and even ringtone downloads available.

As a bit of the side note, Molson is supporting the Vancouver 2010 Aboriginal Youth Legacy Program (created by VANOC and the FHFN). With a $10 donation they will send you a commemorative pin designed by FHFN artist Glenn George.

Update: Susan Gittins got some photos of them inflating the dome at the pavilion.

Photo credit: © Susan Gittins on Flickr

Related posts: All tagged Pavilions