First Nations artists battle for recognition at 2010 Olympics

First Nations groups at both ends of Canada have been fighting for artistic recognition at the 2010 Winter Olympics in BC. Today, there is winning news in the west, but not in the east.

In BC, Vancouver Island’s Cowichan-band knitters have been waging a war of words with the VANOC (Vancouver Olympic Committee) since October 1, when the official clothing line for the 2010 Olympics went on display at the Bay (Hudson’s Bay Company) stores across Canada. That’s because the line includes Cowichan-style sweaters being mass-produced by an unidentified, non-Cowichan company. “Choosing a knit sweater that is both similar in colour scheme and design to our traditional Cowichan Indian sweater disrespects the fact our sweater is a unique piece of art recognized around the world and is a registered exclusive trademark of the Cowichan people,” Cowichan Band Chief Lydia Hwitsum said in a statement. By mid-October, a movement was afoot to knit or lend enough legitimate Cowichan sweaters so that attendees at Cowichan Bay Olympic torch relay events could boycott the official Olympic “kowkoff” and instead wear the genuine article. The band was also considering a lawsuit. But on October 28, the Cowichan band and the Bay came to a deal. While it’s too late for the Cowichan knitters to supply Team Canada’s identical uniforms, they will be licensed to display and sell sweaters of their own design at the Olympics and will be able to use the jealously guarded Olympic logo. And after the games are over, the Bay will share production, pricing, and marketing expertise to help the Cowichan knitters take advantage of the global exposure they will be receiving. That may help revive not only a cultural tradition, but the economic life of the community. The news is not as good on Canada’s Atlantic coast, where an Aboriginal children’s choir was recently “uninvited” to sing at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics. BC Premier Gordon Campbell heard the choir sing two years ago and was so impressed as to extend a verbal invitation for the children to perform at the Olympics. The youngsters have been practising ever since to prepare for this honour. When a formal invitation never came, Miawpukek First Nation Chief Saqamaw Misel Joe wrote to Campbell to express disappointment on their behalf. After the government was taken to task by the NDP opposition, George Abbott, BC's minister for aboriginal relations, scrambled to find other opportunities for the choir to perform, such as at Newfoundland Day on February 26 and at several Aboriginal showcases. But the choir has declined these invitations, with one little girl quoted as saying, “We were raised to believe we’re not second best.” The stories overshadowed the unveiling of the premier’s new "leadership desk," hand-carved for him by renowned Cowichan Bay First Nations artist, Arthur Vickers.