controversial figure skating dance

[shootingstar]

Always good to hear from a (ex) Canuck in Aussieland.

These are the 4 First Nations groups/tribes (or the U.S. refers to as native Indians. First Nations) which Vancouver area and Whistler geographic land cover their territories:

http://www.vancouver2010.com/more-20..._108930aB.html

At first I didn't like the Olympic emblem in terms of its design interpretation. I thought it looked weak. But I liked the choice of a inukshuk-like symbol (I forget the Olympic emblem's christened name.) itself in terms of symbolic meaning as a wayfinder, spirit of protection and from one of the aboriginal groups (Inuit) where their land is part of Canada.

[badger]

this is a bit off-topic, but going back to the Torino games' closing ceremonies, the show that Canada put on was definitely cringe-worthy. I"m surprised they even went that route of the inuit and the igloo. That's pretty much what the whole world imagines Canada to be, why instill that kind of stereotype?

[shootingstar]

this is a bit off-topic, but going back to the Torino games' closing ceremonies, the show that Canada put on was definitely cringe-worthy. I"m surprised they even went that route of the inuit and the igloo. That's pretty much what the whole world imagines Canada to be, why instill that kind of stereotype?

The aboriginal component is only part of the big picture-- you'll see badger, if one takes time to visit the free pavilions near home, there's only 2 aboriginal pavilions out of over 15 different pavilions each showcasing a Canadian province or a 'welcome' place (or foreign country, ie. Netherlands, Russia, etc.)

Some of the aboriginals do see it as opportunity to educate the public about their traditions/past/history while others prefer to more realistic presentation of what is happening now in their respective communities. I agree on both perspectives which must be delivered to the general public to get a well-rounded picture. I know dance, song, and all that cultural stuff is just feel-good stuff to absolve confronting realities of racism, etc., if people do not also accept sharing power in decision-making and mapping a mammoth project, like the Olympics.

After all, I wonder for those who walk through old, historic Chinatown: do they have any clue about the history about the Canadian Chinese ..NOT the Chinese in China? It is the most historic Chinatown in Canada in terms of historic richness. Someone has to take the initiative then, to explain to visitors then...not just sit back.

Today I just came back from free opening of the Museum of Anthropology for their retrofitted wing. Hey, it normally costs $14.00 per adult to get in. Some great dance and drumming performances. It was a rare opportunity for even local residents to see the 4 First Nations groups that occupy Metro Vancouver, showcasing their dance, music and singing. Several aboriginal elders expressed barely contained pride of being in the retrofitted wing and sharing their stuff, etc.

Instead of showing some great traditional west coast aboriginal art that is at the museum (and reinforcing more stereotypical images ), here's something contemporary aboriginal in spirit. And it's sports related.

Explanation of the iconography on snowboard:

“The Challenger” is the for First Nations snowboard team. I’ve used Coast Salish
eyes to symbolize being watched, the Sxwayxway mask with the swirl to represent being in a state of awe and spiritual focus, and this specific to signify protection.”

Xwalacktun (Rick Harry), Swxwu7mesh

One wonders once the Russian couple comes to Vancouver, if they will be taken to some of these performances, meet the dancers and elders. One would hope. Otherwise not much new positive stuff is learned by them when already their dance routine has received international press before they got to Vancouver.

[shootingstar]

Crazy canuck, some British Columbians can be pretty snooty because they know there are some incredibly beautiful natural parts of the province which is used deliberately to showcase Canada's natural beauty. It is really irritating sometimes when there's not much ongoing interest here of stuff east the Kootnenay, Monashee mountains (I need a map, again)....which is west of the Rockies.

For an ex-Torontonian who still has her whole family in Toronto, here I see all sorts of gaps in misunderstanding and disinterest at times.

If one focused solely on the people in British Columbia, one wouldn't know that Toronto has a HUGE black population (more originally from the Carribbean, Africa though there were slaves in the late 1700's in Canada in Toronto area).

[Ered_Lithui]

When I saw the thread title I was picturing Evgeni Plushenko: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAIjRdYI-94

[crazycanuck]

I like the idea of the Inukshuk symbol representing the Van olympics. Most people that i've met in Aust/NZ only associate Canada with the cold. Oddly enough i recieved an odd comment from an aussie friend the other day " I didn't know Canada was so beautiful"....

I really really hope that global television broadcasters during the games mention that there are other places in Canada besides Vancouver & Toronto. It annoys me that everywhere else in Canada doesn't seem to exist...

Btw...As far as I remember..didn't the opening ceremony @ the Sydney Olympics start w the dreamtime? Most people around the world have no clue what the dreamtime is & only associate Australia with Sydney,Sydney, Sydney or Croc dundee (a did you know moment-the real life gent that inspired Croc dundee was actually a drug addict amongst other things..)

[SadieKate]

These are the 4 First Nations groups/tribes (or the U.S. refers to as native Indians. . .

No, that would be Native Americans. . .

[shootingstar]

No, that would be Native Americans. . .

Thx. One thing for certain I've never heard of anyone nor read recent stuff that uses the term "Native Canadian" up here in Kanata (aboriginal name from which Canada is derived from). Highly doubtful that the Russian skating duo even know the latter fact. Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, etc. are also aboriginal-based names.

Guess what? In the past I've referred to myself to others as a 'native-born Canadian', meaning I was born in Canada.

"Aboriginal peoples" is a collective name for the original peoples of North America and their descendants. The Canadian constitution recognizes three groups of Aboriginal people: Indians (commonly referred to as First Nations), Métis and Inuit. These are three distinct peoples with unique histories, languages, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs. More than one million people in Canada identify themselves as an Aboriginal person, according to the 2006 Census.
Aboriginal communities are located in urban, rural and remote locations across Canada. They include:
• First Nations or Indian Bands, generally located on lands called reserves;
• Inuit communities located in Nunavut, NWT, Northern Quebec (Nunavik) and Labrador;
• Métis communities; and
• communities of Aboriginal people (including Métis, Non-Status Indians, Inuit and First Nation individuals) in cities or towns which are not part of reserves or traditional territories (for example, the Aboriginal community in Winnipeg).

Source published by the Canadian federal government:
http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ap/index-eng.asp

Another resource: http://www.aboriginalcanada.gc.ca/ac.../en/index.html

[Tuckervill]

We use Native American down here because of all that confusion with Columbus thinking he was in India, or something like that.

Native Canadians are also Native Americans, by the way.

Karen

[arielmoon]

IMO this dance was their artistic interpretation, like a painter. It's not right or wrong, it's their interpretation. Some folks are easily offended.

[SadieKate]

Native Canadians are also Native Americans, by the way.

Karen

I actually like the term "First Peoples" or something similar much better. "Native" is confusing for me since someone born in a place is native to that place but is not an indigenous American, i.e., a "Native American." "Native-born" isn't bad and provides a subtle distinction to identify someone native-born but not of indigenous descent. I get really irritated with the attitude of some white Americans who yell at others to "go home" (for instance, some Oregonians at people moving here from California) and then tout that they're "Native Oregonians." Well, not really. I want to shout back "so show me your tribal membership!" Not to mention, the weird assumption that someone moving from California was born in California, and isn't just another mobile American like their grandparents (or whoever first showed up here). That ability to pick up and move is what built the USA and almost every other country into what is today (and displaced the native people at the same time). The wonderful world of DNA research documents the wave of second peoples, and third peoples, etc., etc., all over the world. It's fascinating.

[jobob]

Back when I actually cared about figure skating (and trust me, I was a rabid fan a decade or so ago ... friends and I would travel to competitions, stay up until the wee hours or get up at the crack of dawn to watch practice sessions, and debate for hours over so&so's outside edge takeoff and so on ... ), every season there would always be a "controversial" program or two. Some more so than others. If it wasn't the theme of the program, it was the costuming.

Figure skaters, coaches, choreographers, these folks are not sociologists or rocket scientists.

Whatever. *shrug*

[shootingstar]

The wonderful world of DNA research documents the wave of second peoples, and third peoples, etc., etc., all over the world. It's fascinating.

Agreed.
One of my sisters has been mistaken for being aboriginal. Anyone of East Asian descent ignorant (I use "ignorant" both positively as lack of historic knowledge but also negatively to some snobbish or "distancing-themselves" attitude.) enough to think that stereotyping doesn't involve them, should think again: Sometimes aboriginals look like Asians and vice versa.

The images that flood the mass media typically depict Canada's native population as being the victims of housing or health-care crises and show them struggling with poverty or hidden behind masks in confrontation with authorities.

But headed into the 2010 Olympics the Four Host First Nations have released a new video they hope will recast the face of Canada's aboriginal cultures and inspire a whole generation of young people.

"I hope it will make not just first nations proud - I hope it will make all Canadians proud," said Tewanee Joseph, CEO of the Four Host First Nations.

The video - a rapid montage propelled by a percussive, driving beat - shows native people in a very different way than Canadians are used to seeing them. All the images are positive, dynamic and upbeat.

"I want straight emotion and inspiration for three minutes. And I want to break stereotypes," was the way Mr. Joseph put it when he first outlined the project to the video production team.

Full article on production of video which is interesting..they chose the right folks who would be passionate:
http://www.ctvolympics.ca/about-vanc...re?cid=rsstgnm

CEO Mr. Joesph is a chief for 1 of the 4 Nations. Most likely, the 4 Nations had to create and register with the govn't, their organization specifically for the Olympics related to funding purposes for 1 information/performance pavilion, this video, etc.

This is their video that they want promoted worldwide:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3Y1PRB3S1k

[eclectic]

I just want to say thank you for bringing this to my attention.

I teach a high school cultural art class and this was a perfect thing to bring to their attention. Today they had to read the article, think about it and write a response to it. Tomorrow we will discuss it. I am anxious to see what they come up with (11th and 12th grade)

[shootingstar]

Wow.
Please share with us about students' impressions/opinions afterwards.