VANCOUVER, BC – Sept. 23, 2022 – Today, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band) and Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) are excited to announce a unique collaboration to feature Musqueam culture in EA SPORTS™ FIFA 23.
When the game is released, FIFA 23 players will have the opportunity to play at the Musqueam-inspired VOLTA FOOTBALL Pitch – a fictional representation of Musqueam’s real-life soccer field that has brought together Indigenous athletes and fans from across the region since its unveiling in 2012. Through this collaboration, Musqueam cultural elements were incorporated into the game, including a Musqueam longhouse and artwork from Musqueam visual artists, carvers, designers, and weavers.
Additionally, FIFA 23 players will be able to unlock VOLTA FOOTBALL apparel and FIFA Ultimate Team™ kits, designed by Musqueam artists, along with FUT stadium customization elements that feature a variety of Musqueam motifs and patterns.
As EA SPORTS FIFA is primarily developed at EA Vancouver, the collaboration between EA and Musqueam was an opportunity to celebrate local creatives and showcase their work to an audience of millions of fans worldwide. With the aim to create more meaningful connections within our communities, EA collaborated with ten Musqueam artists, each bringing a unique perspective and design to the environments and kits that will represent the region to a global audience of the world’s game.
“Through this special collaboration with EA SPORTS, Musqueam is showcasing not only our unique and distinctive culture, but our thriving soccer community and love of the sport – something we share with many First Nations in this region,” said Wayne Sparrow, Chief of Musqueam Indian Band. “When Indigenous athletes and gamers see an Indigenous field and kits in FIFA 23, we hope it brings immense joy and pride, while sparking countless new ideas for collaborations between First Nations and the sports and video game industries.”
A profound love and shared passion for soccer formed the foundation for this collaboration. Proud stewards, peacekeepers, and protectors of their land, Musqueam athletes are committed to the steadfast pursuit of well-being through rigorous physical, mental, and spiritual training. Playing with heart, character-building sports like soccer are practiced from childhood to adulthood. These practices are a continuation of the intercommunity ties that have existed for thousands of years, bringing Musqueam kin into their territory.
“We are honoured to work with xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) artists, athletes, and community leaders to help share their deep and meaningful history and culture with the millions of FIFA fans across the world,” said Nicholas Lammie, Director of Brand Marketing at EA SPORTS FIFA. “This collaboration was so important to our EA Vancouver Studio Team and we’re incredibly excited to bring it to life in FIFA Ultimate Team and VOLTA FOOTBALL.”
In addition to the in-game artwork, this collaboration results in a number of community contributions, including EA SPORTS creating physical kits for Musqueam soccer players that bring to life the in-game kits, as well as funding upgrades to the Musqueam Field, including improved storage and equipment management facilities, new goals and nets, and custom tents to shelter from inclement weather.
xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) artists whose artwork features in FIFA 23 include:
- Kelly Cannell – FUT Home Kit
- Chase Gray – FUT Goalkeeper kit, FUT Away kit pattern
- Deanna Point – FUT Stadium Cosmetics – Tifo, Centre pitch, tournament banner
- Krista Point – VOLTA FOOTBALL – Weavings for x2 clubhouse banners + tents
- Aleen Sparrow – VOLTA FOOTBALL – Weavings for perimeter board and wide banners
- Brent Sparrow – VOLTA FOOTBALL – House Post
- Debra Sparrow – VOLTA FOOTBALL – Weavings for x2 floodlight flags + Runner Sculpture
- Kamryn Sparrow – VOLTA FOOTBALL – Pitch Artwork
- Robyn Sparrow – VOLTA FOOTBALL – Weavings for x2 floodlight flags
- Cole Sparrow-Crawford – VOLTA FOOTBALL – Holy Name Collection
The City of Vancouver is located on the ancestral and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) nations. As part of its commitment to reconciliation, EA SPORTS aims to use its global platforms to share more Indigenous cultures with the world.
FIFA 23 is developed by EA Vancouver and EA Romania and will be available worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Stadia, PS4, and Xbox One on September 30. Early access for FIFA 23 Ultimate Edition begins on September 27, 2022.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company develops and delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices and personal computers.
About xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Indian Band
hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓-speaking Musqueam people have lived in British Columbia’s Fraser River estuary since time immemorial. Musqueam is a proud and culturally-resilient First Nation of over 1,300 band members. About half of its members live in a small portion of its ancestral territory known as Musqueam Reserve, located south of Marine Drive in Vancouver, BC. Many of the remaining members live throughout Musqueam’s territory, now called Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Delta, North Vancouver, West Vancouver and New Westminster. Musqueam’s lands and waters continue to support its cultural and economic practices, while serving as a source of knowledge and memory, encoded with our teachings and laws.
Sport is fundamental to Musqueam and – similar to many Indigenous communities – soccer is particularly well loved. Many Musqueam children grow up watching their parents and relatives play, and go on to play competitively at the provincial, national and international levels. In 2012, the Musqueam Sports Field opened with two full-sized soccer fields and a club house. This facility enables Musqueam to strengthen its own soccer programs and host youth and adult soccer tournaments in its community, bringing together First Nations from around the region. Musqueam is proud to now virtually host the world at our soccer field through FIFA 23.
EA, EA SPORTS, and the EA SPORTS logo are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. FIFA and FIFA’s Official Licensed Product Logo are copyrights and/or trademarks of FIFA. All rights reserved.
A version of this news release was shared to EA’s website.
Contacts
Odette Wilson
Communications Officer, Musqueam Indian Band
[email protected]
Eric Escaravage
Global PR Lead, EA SPORTS FIFA
[email protected]
1-(604)-319-3533
