When First Nations threw their support behind the 2010 Olympic Games, they did so on a promise that jobs would come their way.

Those jobs appear to have been delivered.

The sound of construction echoes through the picturesque Mount Currie Reserve near Pemberton -- the heart of the Lil'wat First Nation. Band members are building a community complex, whose opening will coincide with the arrival of the Games.

The community has struggled with unemployment as high as 80 per cent. Now, that figure has been drastically reduced to about 30 per cent.

"We want the jobs for them not only during the games but beyond that," Chief Leonard Andrew told CTV News.

The Games have not only brought construction jobs. Ian Leo will be working as a cook.

"It'll be good on the resume that I've actually cooked during the Olympics," he said.

Band members know not everyone in the community supports the Games. Activists say some of the billions spent on the Olympics could've been better spent fighting poverty among First Nations.

But others, including carver Jonathon Joe, have been able to turn hobbies into a living thanks to the Olympics.

"All the jobs we got, it helped me grow as a carver," he said.

Joe and his partner Johnnie Abraham's works are on display throughout Whistler. They hope to capitalize on the international exposure.

"I'm hoping down the line I'll have some contracts, more work to do with my designs," Abraham said.

Lil'wat leaders are also feeling optimistic about the business potential from an Olympic deal with the province.

Along with millions of dollars, the B.C. government gave the Lil'wat and the Squamish First Nation 300 acres of land.

"We're in the midst of being partners and developing lands in the heart of Whistler," Chief Andrew said.

They've already received rezoning approval for one parcel of land called Alpine North, a few kilometres from Whistler Village.

The Lil'wat and Squamish First Nation are partnering with a developer to build 41 townhomes, providing further jobs and revenue.

CTV News has also learned that the Olympics may have given the Lil'wat the leverage they need to finally resolve a longstanding dispute over the road to Lillooet.

For decades, Duffey Lake Road, now known as the Lillooet Lake Road, has been the scene of tense blockades.

"All this time we've said, it's our road, you borrowed our road," Andrew said.

"The days of the road block and such are hopefully now over."

The Lil'wat plan to meet with the province after the Olympics are over to talk ownership -- and money.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Mi-Jung Lee