The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 took place from February 8-16, 2025, held on the traditional territories of the Lil̓wat7úl (Líl̓wat), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱_wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. The Games, founded by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, brought together 550 competitors from 25 nations. The Games aim to inspire recovery and support rehabilitation for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel.
səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) Chief and Council, Drummers, and Youth Ambassadors represented Tsleil-Waututh Nation as part of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and Medal Ceremonies for various sporting events of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.
TWN staff and artists hosted a TWN Activation Booth while musicians played at Invictus Village to engage with athletes and members of the public.
TWN artist Olivia George was celebrated for her cultural insight in co-creating the design of the 2025 Invictus Games with other artists from the four Host Nations.
səlilwətaɬ Chief Jen Thomas hosted a special visit by the Duke, where he visited with children at the TWN Daycare, met with Youth Ambassadors to hear about how they are making a positive impact in our community, and was greeted warmly and blanketed by Council, Elders, and Cultural Leaders.
As Chief Jen said, “Prince Harry has done a lot for the four Host Nations in the last few years. [He] acknowledges who we are, why we’re here, why we do the way we do things, and I raise my hands for that. He has an open heart, an open mind, and he listens to our values, our strengths, he learns a lot, and we’ve also learnt a lot from him.”
Chief Jen shares more about his visit and the importance of Host First Nations being part of the Invictus Games in this North Shore News article.
Learn more about the visit from the Sussex team on their website.
