91. Ensure that Indigenous Peoples’ territorial protocols are respected by officials and host countries of international sporting events

We call upon the officials and host countries of international sporting events such as the Olympics, Pan Am and Commonwealth Games to ensure that Indigenous Peoples’ territorial protocols are respected, and local Indigenous communities are engaged in all aspects of planning and participating in such events.

While there has been some acknowledgement of Indigenous Peoples at some international sporting events, it’s been minimal, and with little consultation from local Indigenous communities.

In July 2022, however, a Vancouver council committee voted to allow an Indigenous-led bid for the 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games to proceed to the next step.

Chiefs and council members from the Squamish, Lil’wat, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam nations told the standing council that backing their efforts was a chance to act on government commitments to reconciliation.

In 2020, the Iroquois Nationals, which represent the Haudenosaunee Confederacy in international field lacrosse, were originally excluded from competing at the 2022 World Games. The team is made up of athletes from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, which includes the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk), Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora nations.

The team, ranked third internationally, was originally told they were ineligible to compete under International Olympic Committee rules. According to the Olympic Charter, the expression “country” means “an independent state recognized by the international community.”

In September 2020, the decision was overturned and they were told they will be among eight men’s lacrosse teams competing in the games. Ireland’s national team also backed out to assure them a spot.

The 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto recognized Indigenous Peoples territory, included Indigenous flame runners and visited First Nations communities with the flame.

In the days leading up to the 2016 Rio Olympics, the torch was carried by a member of the Indigenous Pataxo tribe, one of the largest groups of Brazil’s Indigenous population. The opening ceremonies also included Indigenous dancers.

But in both cases, local Indigenous communities were not involved in most aspects of planning the events.

There was also no formal consultation or participation of Indigenous communities in the planning of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.