Martie Wyse of Snuneymuxw had the honour of being one of the 11 First Nation keepers of the flame as its spent more than 100 days traveling across Canada.

He protected the flame along the route and got to run alongside sports stars such as Sydney Crosby and Steve Nash. But perhaps the highlight came on the torch made its final appearance for the opening ceremonies. Martie was responsible for Wayne Gretzky’s flame during the festivities and he used a special key to turn off the torch after The Great One lit the cauldron on Vancouver’s waterfront.

Martie still has that key and all the special memories of his three and one-half months.

Torch visits Tsawwassen and Sliammon nations

On Day 103, 14-year-old Nic Gurniak carried the torch through his community to a large crowd gathered in front of the longhouse where elder Ruth Adams delivered a special blessing that included a prayer for “the future Olympians of Tsawwassen First Nation”.

Chief Kim Baird said she was pleased the torch visited the new nation and said: "We really focused today's events on our youth and tried to inspire them to achieve the very best for themselves," she said.

Waneek Horn-Miller, a member of the Mohawk Nation who competed for Canada in water polo at the 2004 Sydney Olympics, handed out participation medals for the young TFN athletes.

On Feb. 3, members of Sliammon First Nation gathered for the start of Day 97 of the torch relay. The Nunkum dancers performed before the torch’s arrival as did Albert Hackett and his guitar. Eugene Louie gave the blessing on the torch and SFN’s first torchbearer, Lucinda Louie.

Later, during celebrations in Powell River, SFN Chief Clint Williams and elder Elsie Paul joined dignitaries on the stage with Elsie giving a traditional welcome prayer.

Art on display

Tsleil-Waututh master carvers Zac George and Norman George were among the artists who exhibited their works at an Aboriginal Artisan Village in downtown Vancouver from Feb. 12-28. The two had collaborated in a totem project at the Pacific Coliseum.

Another TWN artist, painter Glen George, created a design for Molson Coors used during the Games.

Business Showcase

Tsawwassen First Nation’s economic development corporation hosted a business reception on Feb. 22. It was part of the Aboriginal Artisan Village and Business Showcase that was part of the 2010 Aboriginal Pavilion programming.

Beating the Boxes

There were about 60,000 Coast Salish ‘drums’ at the opening ceremonies. Everyone who attended received an octagonal cardboard box containing a drumstick, a coloured plastic poncho, a coloured torchlight and a white torch. The box was printed with the logo of the Four Host First Nations and, after the ceremony, Vancouver’s streets were filled with revellers beating their drums.