'World's biggest potlatch' underway: Four Host First Nations CEO

The 2010 Aboriginal Pavilion is ready to receive a projected 100,000 visitors and organizer Tewanee Joseph says the venue is about to make history.

Located at Georgia and Hamilton Streets, the pavilion opened to the public Monday Feb. 8, showcasing a 65-foot inflatable multi-media dome and the venue's signature show, "We Are Here."

Also known as the Chiefs' House, the venue will showcase artwork by hundreds of indigenous artists across the country and live daily performances in a lineup that includes Buffy Sainte Marie, hip hop artist Inez, Kinnie Starr and blues musician Murray Porter.

"This will be one of the – if not the – biggest coming together of aboriginal people for the purpose of hosting the world," said North Van's Joseph, CEO of the Four Host First Nations Society, in an interview.

Two years ago Joseph began visiting Inuit, Metis and First Nations communities across the country, extending invitations to aboriginal people across Canada to participate in "the world's biggest potlatch."

"What we wanted to say is 'Our culture is meant to be shared,'" said Joseph. "For so long, we've been in the shadows, but now we want the world to know that we are here . . . telling the story about aboriginal people."

The Society's Welcome video – launched online late last month and logging upwards of 10,000 views – tells a story not often seen in mainstream media.

While narratives of Canadian indigenous people often focus on housing crises, health care and social ills, the Welcome combines traditional song and drumming with footage that showcases thriving cultures and positive young people.

"We wanted all people to be proud of it, not just aboriginal people," said Joseph of the video.

The three-minute clip will play at all Olympic venues and is available to broadcasters. Estimates are it will reach millions of viewers.

"In three minutes we hopefully can inspire a new generation of young people to say 'Wow, those things are possible," said Joseph. "It's about seeing aboriginal people in the Games and seeing aboriginal people in other cultures."

He hopes the host partnership between Squamish, Lil'wat, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh nations and the Olympic committee will inspire young aboriginal people and connect entrepreneurs with international businesses.

Joseph also hopes all Canadians will consider issues like indigenous poverty, land claims, and unsolved cases involving missing aboriginal women as "issues that affect all Canadians."

The Welcome video shows indigenous cultures as rooted in tradition but thriving in the present and moving to a positive future, Joseph said. As witnesses to the world's biggest potlatch, Joseph hopes visitors to the pavilion will share those stories with their communities.

The potlatch will be an "education process" for all Canadians, he added. "The games represent a new beginning that way."

What's on at the 2010 Aboriginal Pavilion

Buffy Sainte-Marie. Feb. 12

Young at Heart Feat. Sister Says and Inez, Feb. 13

Plain Talking Feat. Soul Paua and Kinnie Starr, Feb. 17

Digging Roots, Feb. 28

For a full list of performers, visit fourhostfirstnations.com

The Jack Poole Reception Hall also holds lounge events and aboriginal fusion cuisine at 9:30 p.m. each day. Tickets: $25.

Also at Vancouver Community College

The VCC's downtown campus hosts the Aboriginal Artisan Village and Business Showcase from Feb. 12-28. The event will feature live demonstrations by aboriginal artists and artisans and merchandise by hundreds of vendors.

kmcmanus@northshoreoutlook.com