This Mi'kmaq youth choir from Newfoundland has turned down an invitation to perform in Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Olympics. (CBC)

A Mi'kmaq youth choir from Newfoundland has turned down an invitation to perform in Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Olympics, saying nothing short of a spot at the opening ceremonies will bring them to British Columbia.

The Miawpukek First Nation have insisted B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell invited their Set'a'newey Choir to perform at the opening ceremonies while in Newfoundland two years ago, when he watched the children perform in the community of Corner Brook.

However, the band was told last week that the choir won't be performing when the cauldron is lit at BC Place stadium to kick off the Games next February.

Campbell has called it a misunderstanding and his tourism minister offered the choir other opportunities to perform during the 16 days of the Olympics.

'We know what was promised,' chief says

But that's not good enough, said the band's chief.

"We know what was promised and we're not going to be shuffled around in Vancouver," Chief Mi'sel Joe said in an interview Wednesday.

"As they (choir members) understood it, they were going to be part of the opening ceremonies. This is what they'll accept."

Joe said at the very least, Campbell should apologize for promising what he can't deliver, but he said even that wouldn't convince the choir to come.

"If he can't fulfil it, then admit that he never had the authority to do it, and we'll move on," he said.

Campbell said Wednesday he was sorry if there was a misunderstanding with the choir.

"I did say to the choir, 'You know, wouldn't it be great if you could be at the Olympics,"' said Campbell, who said every province is organizing activities at the Games to show off local talent.

'Tragic situation'

"There's an opportunity for this particular choir to do a number of other things, which they've decided not to do, and I think it's a shame, because the Olympics is more than the opening ceremonies."

Campbell said he doesn't have any control over who performs at the opening of the Games and he won't contact organizers to ask them to make room for the choir.

The director of the choir called it a "tragic situation."

"These children need healing by being given the respect and attention they were promised in 2007 by one of our provinces' premiers (Mr. Gordon Campbell)," choir director Brenda Jeddore said in an email.

The provincial Opposition raised the issue in the legislature earlier in the week, when an NDP member demanded the government apologize to the youth singers.