The Four Host Nations of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025
The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, presented by ATCO and Boeing, will be held on the traditional territories of the Lil̓wat7úl (Líl̓wat), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱_wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 is committed to engaging with each Nation, addressing Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, and ensuring that the Four Host First Nations languages, traditions, protocols and cultures are meaningfully acknowledged, respected and represented in the planning, staging and hosting of the Games.
We celebrate each of the Four Host First Nations culture and traditions as we embark on a shared journey to host the first-ever Winter Games in Invictus Games history.
“As the Four Host Nations, we are honoured to be a part of this international event that celebrates resilience and the power of sport and supports the mutual journey to recovery. We look forward to sharing our culture, traditions, and the breathtaking beauty of our lands with the competitors, their families, and all those who will visit for the Games.” –The Four Host Nations of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025
Líl̓wat | Lil’wat Nation has always been, and will continue to be, a people of the land
Population: Approximately 2,200
Location: Located between two formidable mountain ranges, Líl̓wat is two-and-a-half hour drive from Vancouver. The majority of Líl̓wat Nation citizens live near beautiful Mount Currie, British Columbia. Named for the spectacular 2,591 m mountain in the centre of Líl̓wat Traditional Territory, the community is home to approximately 1450 of the Nation’s more than 2,200 members.
Language: The language of Líl̓wat is called Ucwalmícwts.
About: Líl̓wat’s geography ensured its important role in the early regional economy. The citizens of Líl̓wat Nation were traders, and for centuries bartered and exchanged goods with many other First Nations, and later with non-Aboriginal fur traders, miners and settlers. Skilled fishers and hunters, the Líl̓wat Nation members are a people of their land. The plant and animal resources of the high mountain slopes and river valleys remain critically important to the Líl̓wat people.
xʷməθkʷəy̓əm | Musqueam Indian Band people have lived at the mouth of the Fraser River for thousands of years.
Population: Approximately 1,300
Location: Musqueam traditional territory occupies much of present-day Vancouver. Portions of Musqueam’s territory are called Vancouver, Burnaby, YVR Airport and the UBC Endowment Lands. Musqueam’s ancestors have lived throughout and stewarded the Fraser River estuary.
Language: Musqueam are traditional hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓-speaking people.
About: The Musqueam people have always moved throughout their territory using the resources it provides for fishing, hunting, trapping and gathering. Musqueam sniw̓ (teachings) and practices are part of who they are, and the teachings have persevered because of the wisdom and resilience of their ancestors, and their intrinsic connection to our lands and waters. sniw̓ are expressed in their šxʷtəhim̓ (manners and customs), in their day-to-day interactions, and in the respect they show to others and to their work.
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw | Squamish Nation: a unity of the Squamish Peoples with an uplifting culture, rich history, and exciting future.
Population: Approximately 4,100
Location: The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Stélmexw (Squamish People) continue to reside in the area now described as the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. The largest proportion of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Members live in several urban reserve communities in the present-day cities of Vancouver, North and West Vancouver and the municipality of Squamish, B.C.
Language: The Squamish People speak the Skwxwú7mesh Snichim, or Squamish language. The Squamish Language is today spoken by dozens of Squamish people as a second language and has been learned from elders.
About: Squamish culture has been created from their lands, waters, and people over generations. Squamish people continue to practice many of the traditions, customs, and ways of their ancestors and pass them onto future generations.
Tsleil-Waututh Nation, “People of The Inlet” | Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s knowledge of the lands and waters of their territory has shaped their people since time immemorial.
Population: Approximately 600
Location: Their traditional territory reaches from the Fraser River northward to Mamquam Lake near Whistler. Today, the Tsleil-Waututh people live predominantly on the north shore of Burrard Inlet.
Language: With no living fluent speakers, Tsleil-Waututh Nation use resources for the Downriver Hunq’eme’nem/hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓̓ language.
About: The Nation’s stewardship of the land, air, and water is deeply ingrained in their culture because they understand the health of their people is interconnected with the environment they inhabit. Tsleil-Waututh people lis
