Aiming to build excitement around the 2010 Olympics for people in Mount Currie, Lil’wat Nation organizers are finalizing plans for celebrations in the community alongside the events they will co-host and support to put Lil’wat culture centre stage when the world comes to visit.

As one of the Four Host First Nations for the 2010 Games, Lil’wat Nation members will be involved in celebrations ranging from the festivities in Mount Currie to events in Whistler at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre and in Vancouver at the FHFN Aboriginal Pavilion.

In Mount Currie, the Lil’wat Nation will host events such as an Olympic Torch Relay party and public viewings of Olympic competitions in the new community complex. Daniel Cindric, recreation director for the Lil’wat Nation, said organizers are hoping to help generate an exciting Games-time atmosphere in the community.

“We’re hoping to build excitement for the people in Mount Currie for the Olympics. We hope people really get into the Games and take full advantage of the events that are going on in their backyard,” Cindric said.

Interest in the Games-time activities has been fairly strong so far, he added.

“People are getting excited about the Games – people have tickets, people are volunteering, people can’t wait to watch certain events. It’s pretty exciting,” Cindric said.

The fun is set to start on Saturday, Feb. 6, when the Lil’wat Nation will throw a party to welcome the torch relay and simultaneously celebrate the grand opening of the new community complex, beginning at 8 a.m.

The day’s festivities will include a pancake breakfast starting at 9:30 a.m., a traditional blessing and ribbon cutting to open the building, drumming and singing, and a performance by three-time world champion hoop dancer Alex Wells.

During the day, Pemberton is also planning to host extensive events ranging from a street hockey tournament and polar bear swim to Nordic sports fun and storytime and crafts for children.

The Lil’wat Nation chose Keegan Andrew, Linda Dan, Payton Dan, Randall Phillips and Bobby Stager to carry the torch through Mount Currie, with Stager expected to bear the flame on horseback. Dillon Sampson was also selected to run with the relay in Whistler in front of the SLCC, completing a handoff from a Squamish Nation member to Lil’wat.

Jazzmin Pascal has also earned a spot in the torch relay through the First Nations Snowboard Team.

Once the Games begin, the community complex will be home to some 15 live viewing sessions open to all. Cindric said the relaxed and informal viewing parties will include light snacks and chances to enjoy community company while watching the elite sporting spectacles.

He expects the Canada-U.S. men’s hockey game on Feb. 21 will be among the must-see events, and heated competitions for Olympic medals in snowboarding, moguls, biathlon, luge, figure skating, curling, ski jumping, Nordic combined and alpine and cross-country skiing will also be on display.

The schedule of live-viewing events will wrap up with the men’s gold medal hockey game and closing ceremonies on Feb. 28.

A Celebration Pow Wow is also being planned as a highlight on the weekend of Feb. 20 and 21, offering even more festivities close to home for community members.

Artists such as Wells, musicians Bobby Stager and Kalan Wi, storyteller Marie Abraham and dancer Gerald Gabriel will also be featured in Lil’wat-hosted events scheduled to at the SLCC, alongside an extensive program of events celebrating First Nations culture through the SLCC and Whistler Live! programming and through the 2010 Cultural Olympiad festivities.