I'm as big a supporter of reconciliation as the next person; in fact spent a great day in Nanaimo on the T&R stat talking with friends including some local FN about their lived experiences and they were thrilled someone was there listening and willing to learn a few things.
That said the notion of a 'missed opportunity' re: reconciliation all because the BCG opted not to spend a bucketload of $ on a sporting event rings rather hollow to me.
Of the ~ 200+ FN's in BC we have heard from exactly four of them since the announcement from the government - the Líl̓wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. The latter three bands are currently involved in massive re-development plans for the Kits-Burrard- Vanier Park and Jericho Lands on the west side of Vancouver. Coincidence? Perhaps looking to speed things up by getting approvals and tax relief lined up while the BCG is in a mood to spend the estimated $200 million of taxpayer cash required had they supported the games? Who knows. Just a thought.
I do know that right now, regardless, I'd bet that 99.9998% of BC residents would far rather see public money going to things like measures to...I dunno..... alleviate the cost of living, address the sad state of health care/doctor shortage, affordable housing, public safety, street level crime, the fentanyl crisis etc etc etc. I'd be further be willing to bet my next paycheck that, given all those pressing needs right now, the same % of BC'ers would have an Olympic Games prioritised at about the same level of enthusiasm as building a nuclear weapons facility in the Walbran Valley....