Lheidli T’enneh Pavilion ready for Games

The Host First Nation is ready to open its doors.

The Lheidli T'enneh Pavilion, located at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Dominion Street, will be a spot of warmth and welcome for the duration the Canada Winter Games, showcasing aboriginal art and talent.

"Being designated the official host First Nation is historic and we are proud to be the one to start this journey. In seven days we officially open our doors to the country and celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of aboriginal peoples across Canada," said Chief Dominic Frederick. "We want to welcome all cultures to our pavilion. Regardless of who you are, we want you to come in and to experience all the other cultures and the culture of Lheidli T'enneh."

When the pavilion officially opens Feb. 13, it will be home to daily programming between 11 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. until March 1.

It's not what it seems from the outside, said Frederick, referring to the 3,600 square foot space formed by the Britco trailers, draped with shades of red and decorated with Lheidli T'enneh historical exhibits. It's housing an artisan village, reception and retail space, live performance stage, soup and bannock kitchen and elders' lounge.

The transformation from an empty lot to what is currently standing, with a wrap proclaiming the Lheidli T'enneh as the host First Nation touches her heart, said band councillor Louella Nome.

"One of the things I've always said when I first became a councillor was to build bridges between Lheidli T'enneh and the city of Prince George," Nome said. "And this building here today is a big bridge."

The pavilion and all it represents was a proud moment for the 2015 Canada Winter Games host society as well, said marking and communications director Mike Davis.

"In days we have people from across Canada starting to arrive in our community. We've always been vocal that we had a northern story to share and the northern story starts with the Lheidli T'enneh on the traditional territory."

And though the pavilion is a temporary structure, the legacy created by the level of engagement exhibited by the Lheidli T'enneh is one that will last for Canada Games to come.

"We have set the bar in terms of First Nations' engagement," Davis said. "Host cities like Winnipeg and Red Deer now are aware of the commitment and the level of detail required to have a really inclusive program and we're proud to take the steps to really change history with the Canada Games and change protocol."