Chief says having Musqueam art featured in new FIFA video game a 'huge step forward'

A unique collaboration between Vancouver'sEA Sports video game studioand the Musqueam First Nationis bringingIndigenous artwork and cultural elements toFIFA 23 a popularsoccer video game played by millions of people. The latest edition is being released worldwideFriday, Canada's National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

Chief Wayne Sparrow says EAapproachedthe First Nationwith reconciliationin mind, and worked togetherwith the community's artists and elders.

"They spent a lot of time toreally learn our history and culture before they put it into the game," Sparrow said in an interview.

Sparrow says people in the MusqueamFirst Nation, located south of Vancouver's Southwest Marine Drive near the mouth of the Fraser River, didn't have a space topractice soccer until 2012 whenconstruction of a local pitch was completedwith money from the 2010 Vancouver Olympics' legacy fund.

He says the First Nation's youth and adultslovethe sport,regularlysendteams to all-Indigenous tournaments across the province, and sometimes hostevents of their own.

In total, 10Musqueam artists contributed to the new video game: Kelly Cannell, Chase Gray,Deanna Point,Krista Point,Aleen Sparrow, Brent Sparrow, Debra Sparrow, Kamryn Sparrow, Robyn Sparrow and Cole Sparrow-Crawford.

In the game's Volta Football mode, a street style version of soccer, players can compete ona pitch inspired by the MusqueamField.

In other game modes, players canunlockMusqueam-themed kits, including soccer shorts, jerseys, sweat pants and sweaters,andcustomize their own stadiumwithMusqueam banners and flags.

The game also features alonghouse and artwork from visual artists, carvers, designers and weavers.

Sparrow says manyyoung artistswere involved in the project and areexcited to kick off theircareers on such a large platform.

"Everything I've heard back is a lot of excitement, pride," he said. "They're on cloud nine."

Musqueam councillor Howard Grant says he and the entire community areexcited about the game's reach.

"[The game is] going to 60-plus countries around the world that will now understand Indigenous people are not just contained in museums, but they are alive and thriving," he said.

Grant sayshe also appreciated EA'scollaborative approach and willingness to learn.

"It wasn't about money. It wasn't about ego," he said. "It was about how do we be part and parcel of reconciliation?"

Bringing the video game to life

EA Sports is also giving new uniforms to theMusqueam First Nation'ssoccer teams the same ones the nation's artists designed, that arefeatured in the video game.

"All of our teams are going to have the jerseys to play in the Native tournaments ... this upcoming year," said Sparrow, adding that the company is also chipping in for a few upgrades to the local pitch.

Musqueam Field will havenew goals and nets, custom tents for shelter during bad weather, and improved storage and equipment management facilities.

"This collaboration was so important to our EA Vancouver Studio Team and we're incredibly excited to bring it to life," Nicholas Lammie, director of brand marketing at EA Sports FIFA, said in a statement.

Sparrow says a large company like EA making an effort to include Indigenous peopleand going about the process the right way feels like real progress.

"I get asked a lot what reconciliation means to me," he said, "the actions are the things that I'm looking for.

"It's a huge step forward for all First Nations that we're finally being heard."