The head of the Assembly of First Nations is warning that the 2010 Vancouver Olympics will likely be a target for native protests in the same way that supporters of Tibet are using the Beijing Games to draw attention to their cause.

Grand Chief Phil Fontaine says First Nations leaders will use every opportunity they can to educate people and pressure governments on aboriginal poverty.

"I would hope that we won't be forced to take disruptive measures. I am confident and optimistic that won't be necessary," he told CBC News.

Grand Chief Phil Fontaine said Thursday that First Nations protesters could target the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
(CBC)

"We believe Canadians are fair-minded people and once they know the true story about First Nations poverty, it will be as unacceptable to them as it is to us."

Fontaine said he is personally a big supporter of the 2010 Games, as is his organization.

"The Assembly of First Nations has expressed formally its support for the 2010 Olympics, and I've been working with the four host First Nations to make sure that we're given appropriate exposure during these Games," he said.

"We find the Tibetan situation compelling," Fontaine said when asked whether the 2010 Olympics could be disrupted by the sort of protest that has dogged Chinese planners.

Olympics an opportunity

Bill Williams, the chief of the Squamish First Nation that is one of the native groups with a formal agreement with the Vancouver committee, told CBC News he will not be protesting the Games.

"I have no plans whatsoever to protest the Winter Olympic Games. Actually I have plans to participate, not only with myself but with hundreds of members of the Squamish Nation."

He said he would instead take the opportunity to showcase the culture on a world stage.

"We are invisible in our own world, we are invisible in Canada…. We want to be able to tell the world we do exist, we have a culture, we have a language, we have wonderful things to contribute to the world,” he said.

However, he conceded some people from Squamish will protest. He said the majority of the Squamish Nation sees the games as an opportunity for economic development, while others are more worried about shining a spotlight on social and education issues.

He said he approves of people standing up to protest what's wrong with the social system and structure of Canada, but is opposed to the use of violence to do that.

Ernie Campbell is chief of the Musqueam First Nation, whose traditional lands comprised much of what is now Vancouver. Negotiations for Olympic benefits are ongoing, he said, and he fully expects the Winter Games to draw demonstrators.

"I think that's a fact no matter where the Olympics are held. People are going to take that opportunity," whether they're native or non-native, he said.

Demonstrations bound to happen: Furlong

John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Games, said his committee is involving the four First Nations located on the Olympic grounds in areas ranging from input on the ceremonies to sharing in the wealth.

But he concedes demonstrations are inevitable.

"Because the Games are so high-profile, people will seek the opportunity to use it for whatever advantage they want," he said.

"Because in our country, we place a high value on this freedom, we'll see some of it. Hopefully we won't see too much of it, but whatever we see, hopefully it will be respectful, because that's the Canadian way."

The 2010 torch relay will travel through 1,000 Canadian communities and be part of 200 celebrations, Furlong said.

The RCMP will be responsible for security if protests do break out along the way, he said.

With files from the Canadian Press