History Repeats Itself: Vancouver’s Displacement of Indigenous People—From the 2010 Olympics to Ken Sim’s Leaked Memo
In 2010, as the world’s eyes turned to Vancouver for the Winter Olympics, the city’s most vulnerable residents—many of them Indigenous—were quietly forced out of sight. Fast forward to 2025, and a leaked memo from Mayor Ken Sim’s office reveals that history is repeating itself. The memo, which proposed relocating Indigenous people from the Downtown Eastside (DTES) back to their "home communities," echoes the same tactics used during the Olympic clean-up.
The 2010 Olympics: A Displacement Blueprint
Leading up to the Olympics, Vancouver underwent a so-called “beautification” process, which in reality meant the forced removal of unhoused people from the DTES. Indigenous residents, who are disproportionately affected by homelessness due to Canada’s ongoing colonial policies, were among the hardest hit.
- SRO Evictions: Single-room occupancy (SRO) hotels, one of the last affordable housing options in the city, saw mass evictions as landlords converted units into short-term rentals for tourists.
- "Red Zones" and Policing: Law enforcement heavily patrolled public spaces, handing out tickets and making arrests to push vulnerable people out of high-traffic areas.
- Broken Housing Promises: Temporary shelters were offered as a short-term solution, but after the Olympics, many of these people were left without permanent housing.
- Protests and Resistance: Indigenous groups and anti-poverty activists called out the injustice, arguing that the Olympic spectacle came at the cost of human rights.
The Olympics left a lasting legacy—not of unity, but of displacement and broken promises.
Ken Sim’s Memo: A Repeat of Colonial Policies?
In February 2025, a leaked memo from Ken Sim’s office proposed a "Re-unification roundtable" with Indigenous groups to discuss relocating Indigenous DTES residents to their home communities. The idea was framed as a solution to homelessness, but in reality, it mirrors past efforts to remove Indigenous people from public spaces without addressing the root causes of their displacement.
Indigenous leaders and community advocates immediately pushed back:
- BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) condemned the proposal, calling it a “slap in the face” to reconciliation.
- Community groups in the DTES warned that this approach would only further marginalize people without providing real solutions.
- Critics pointed out that many Indigenous people in Vancouver moved there due to a lack of jobs, education, healthcare, and housing in their home communities—sending them back doesn’t solve anything.
This policy fits into a long history of colonial displacement tactics. From the forced removal of Indigenous children into residential schools to the Sixties Scoop and ongoing land dispossession, Canada has repeatedly tried to erase Indigenous presence from urban spaces.
What Can We Do?
- Demand Accountability: The city must be transparent about its policies regarding homelessness and Indigenous residents. There should be no backroom deals on issues affecting people’s lives.
- Push for Real Solutions: Indigenous-led housing initiatives, culturally safe services, and long-term support are needed—not forced relocation.
- Support Indigenous Advocacy Groups: Organizations fighting for housing rights in Vancouver need public support. Groups like the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) and the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre (DEWC) are on the frontlines.
- Expose Gentrification Tactics: Vancouver’s housing crisis isn’t just about affordability—it’s about who gets pushed out and who profits. We must challenge policies that prioritize real estate interests over people’s rights.
History doesn’t have to repeat itself—unless we let it.
The same city that pushed Indigenous people out for the Olympics is now trying to do it again under the guise of "helping" them. It’s time to call out these colonial tactics and demand justice, housing, and respect for Indigenous people in Vancouver.
Will we allow another Olympic-style displacement, or will we finally say enough?
