Comments on: Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples & The Vancouver 2010 Olympics – Unprecedented Inclusion?

By: Shawn

Shawn — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 03:15:25 +0000

I am Cree from Alberta. I thought the Native Dance was cool but overall the Opening Ceremony was a flop which I don’t care since they outsource dNative Art to China and ripped us off.. The Oh Canada was horrible, One of the torches failed to rise. Someone got slammed into a pole at the bobsled track and died. And Wayne Gretsky had no Canopy on that truck to keep dry and warm. In the end everyone got ultimiately shat on from “Natives to Wayne Gretzky”

By: Ryan McMahon

Ryan McMahon — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:40:26 +0000

Thanks for reading D & Aaron.

D: I agree that we have taken step 1 of many that we need to take.

Aaron: It is an interesting point you make about the larger population and their thoughs on the opening ceremonies. From what I’ve gathered, many people were moved by the opening. I think the danger COULD BE that we have romanticized ourselves the same way Dances With Wolves did. There was little context to the regalia worn, songs sung, etc. and I think that may be dangerous.

Thank you both for your thoughtful comments.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:31:28 +0000

I have been debating whether it was a front to pose as a cultured society or a sincere gesture to honour Aboriginal culture. I do not wish to discredit Canada’s strives for a celebrated diverse country, but where has so much Aboriginal imagery represented Canada before Friday? For myself, I want to know if this involvement will continue after Vancouver 2010 has wrapped up. Will Aboriginal People have some steering power to help change the face of Canada? Perhaps more Aboriginal imagery is needed to reconstruct Canada’s image on home soil and abroad. Since Vancouver 2010 has represented Canada’s culture so well, why shouldn’t our government do the same? We all need continuity. I would like to congratulate the organizers of Vancouver 2010 for their social good for involving Aboriginal culture as the main image. Let us all hope that this is a popular belief among Canadians nationwide

By: D

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:19:27 +0000

Now, as a huge fan of all sports, I am one of the biggest Olympic lovers and the welcome at opening ceremony was a beautiful thing to see. However, I also think it is important to not only see Aboriginal people as traditional dancers and performers, but as athletes and flagbearers, coaches and officials, tourists and sports fans. It’s step one, we all know there is a ways to go.