Four First Nations announce they have jointly entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Vancouver and the Resort Municipality of Whistler to begin the process of assessing the feasibility of hosting an Olympic and Paralympic Games

Vancouver’s journey towards Reconciliation

Our Reconciliation journey formally began in 2013 with the Year of Reconciliation, followed by the Reconciliation Framework (150 KB) passed by City Council in 2014. The City acknowledges that our Reconciliation efforts should have begun earlier, and that there is still much work to do.

Before Reconciliation, there must first be truth. Every settler and newcomer to this territory has a responsibility to learn the truth of the history and ongoing impacts of colonialism and cultural genocide on Indigenous peoples and communities. We encourage everyone to use the resources on these webpages and other public sites to educate yourself and to take actions to advance Reconciliation.

Follow our milestones

Open the boxes for details on the events.

2021 to present
- February 1, 2022: Agreement signed with COC and CPC to officially explore hosting 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
- December 10, 2021: Four First Nations, Vancouver and Whistler sign MOU to explore feasibility of hosting 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
- September 30, 2021: First National Day for Truth and Reconciliation observed by Vancouver as a municipal holiday
- February 2021: Vancouver first municipality in Canada to adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
February 1, 2022

Four First Nations – Lil̓wat7úl (Líl̓wat), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) – along with the City of Vancouver and the Resort Municipality of Whistler, announced they signed an agreement with the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee to officially collaborate on exploring the feasibility of hosting the 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in BC.

December 10, 2021

Four local First Nations – the Lil̓wat7úl (Líl̓wat), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations – announced they had jointly entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (133 KB) with the City of Vancouver and the Resort Municipality of Whistler to begin the process of assessing the feasibility of hosting the 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

September 30, 2021

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was added to the federal statutory holidays in Canada. This was a direct response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action 80 . Vancouver City Council passed a motion to observe this day as a paid holiday for municipal staff in 2021.

February 2021

We became the first municipality in Canada to unanimously pass a motion to adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which is the minimum standard necessary for respecting and upholding the inherent and human rights of Indigenous peoples and ensuring the dignity, survival, and well-being of Indigenous peoples.
2016 to 2020
- January 20, 2020: Vancouver, UBC, and the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Development Corporation sign MOU to advocate for SkyTrain to UBC
- May 2019: City Council passed a motion to officially recognize 2019 as the Year of Indigenous Languages in Vancouver, and to work collaboratively to create more visibility for hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh
- October 16, 2018: Parcel of land in Marpole returned to the Musqueam Indian Band
- June 18, 2018: Two prominent public spaces in downtown given names in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and skqxwu7mesh
- March 19, 2018: Saa’ust Centre opened as a space supporting families and survivors affected by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)
- 2017: Canada's 150th anniversary marked in Vancouver with Vancouver Commemorates Canada 150+
- 2016: MOU signed with Metro Vancouver Urban Aboriginal Executive Council to work together to address unique needs of urban Indigenous peoples
January 29, 2020

The City of Vancouver, the University of British Columbia (UBC), and the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Development Corporation (MST-DC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding and committed to advocate together for the completion of a SkyTrain line all the way to UBC as soon as possible.\

May 2019

In response to the United Nations declaration of 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages, City Council passed a motion (54 KB) to officially recognize the Year of Indigenous Languages in Vancouver. Council directed staff to make recommendations for concrete and sustainable measures for programs and services to support, revitalize, and promote local Indigenous languages. We're seeking input from Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh to build an action plan to support hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh to once again be visible throughout these lands and waters. The City’s work, within its jurisdiction, will focus on naming, signage, and visibility.

October 16, 2018

We returned a parcel of land located at 8902 Milton St in Marpole to the Musqueam Indian Band. The land donation marked the return of a portion of the site known as the Great Fraser Midden, Eburne Midden, and Marpole Midden. It never ceased to be c̓əsnaʔəm to Musqueam. Council donated the property as part of its ongoing commitments as a City of Reconciliation and to provide assistance for the conservation of the land as protected heritage property under the Vancouver Charter.

June 18, 2018

Two prominent public spaces in downtown Vancouver were given names in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and skqxwu7mesh -šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn (formerly known as the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza) and šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (formerly the Vancouver Art Gallery north plaza). The plaza naming process sought to return decision-making to the Host Nations and bring more visibility to the local Indigenous languages and cultures.

March 19, 2018

The Saa’ust Centre was opened for families and survivors affected by the national inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), brought to life by the Urban Indigenous Peoples' Advisory Committee's community partnerships. It is operated by Indian Residential School Survivors Society, while the City continues to work with partners to create a permanent Indigenous healing and wellness centre.

2017

Vancouver marked Canada's 150th anniversary with Vancouver Commemorates Canada 150+. Through partnership with the Host Nations we engaged the community throughout 2017 under the umbrella title, Strengthening Our Relations.

2016

The City of Vancouver signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Metro Vancouver Urban Aboriginal Executive Council (MVAEC). The MOU established a cooperative relationship to address the unique needs of the urban Indigenous peoples living in the city of Vancouver.
2010 to 2015
- July 8, 2014: Reconciliation Framework adopted by City Council
- 2014: Vancouver declared a City of Reconciliation and declaration issued acknowledging Vancouver located on unceded territories
- 2013: Year of Reconciliation declared in Vancouver
July 8, 2014

City Council adopted the Reconciliation Framework. Since then, we have been working to meet 27 out of 94 Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action that were identified as within our jurisdiction and ability to implement. View the 27 Calls to Action (204 KB)

2014

Vancouver declared a City of Reconciliation. We also issued a declaration acknowledging Vancouver is located on the unceded territories of the Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation, and Tsleil-Waututh Nation. We were the first government in Canada to do so.

2013

Year of Reconciliation declared in Vancouver.

Vancouver’s journey towards Reconciliation

Follow our milestones

2021 to present

2016 to 2020

2010 to 2015

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