The Olympic Opening Ceremonies

[Wilber]

We can imagine things based on our personal perceptions and beliefs, and stay happy in that comfortable world, or we can read the news and learn what really happened.

Of course you would never imagine things based on your personal perceptions and beliefs or live in a world of your invention, would you.

[Sir Bandelot]

I'm quite sure you know far less about today's aboriginal people than I do.

I wonder how you can be so sure about anything, without substantiation.

My wife is part native. Her father has official native status. The "white" side of her family has been in Canada longer than most other families, the St. Laurents, among the first to come here some 400 years ago and the same family as Prime Minster Louis St. Laurent, the same family that the eastern region of Canada is named after. So we know a bit about Canada around here, and natives.

Maybe you do know more. Are you squatting in a tent?

[Sir Bandelot]

Of course you would never imagine things based on your personal perceptions and beliefs or live in a world of your invention, would you.

I have learned that whenever I do that, it's usually a mistake. Better to look things up and learn than to make baseless claims. Of course, we live in the age of information and also DISINFORMATION, so that whatever we might say can be cast into doubt. That's the paradox of our current times.

So despite what others may think around here, I am not perfect.

[Smallc]

My wife is part native. Her father has official native status.

Wow, good for you...now, do you live pretty much shoulder to shoulder with them? Because I do, I've been to many cultural celebrations, and I know how they like to celebrate their history and culture. You simply want to manufacture some kind of outrage. I believe this is what they term white guilt.

[Guest American Woman]

Smallc, on 14 February 2010 - 10:20 AM, said: I'm sure this was as much their decision as it was VANOCs.

We can imagine things based on our personal perceptions and beliefs, and stay happy in that comfortable world, or we can read the news and learn what really happened.

So what are you saying, exactly? -- That they were forced to be in the ceremony? That someone made them do it against their will?

[Shady]

Well thats just your view.

No, it's not just my view, it's the law. Tourists are not allowed on private property. So the xenophobic idea of being inundated with tourists in their backyards is complete nonsense.

But as long as they dance for us at our huge corporate sponsored events, it's not a problem. right?

Um, when did I argue for them dancing in any sponsored events? If anything, I was on the other side of that issue.

[Sir Bandelot]

So what are you saying, exactly? -- That they were forced to be in the ceremony? That someone made them do it against their will?

In a discussion at dinner my teenage daughter told me that they had a debate at school last week, and it was revealed that the natives were upset about the use of the inukshuk as the olympic logo. I hadn't heard of this before, so looked online for more info about it. Native leaders were angry about the use of their sacred symbols, and that the inukshuk had been altered into a comical form, like "pac-man" as one of the chiefs said. There were other issues as well, land claims and such, as one would expect from natives. I don't know if they had legitimate legal rights or not, but would not be surprised if environmental laws and treaties were broken. These are the claims. This conflict goes back several years as the olympic planning was underway. With the olympics coming up imminently there is no time to deal with these disputes in courts, so the show must go on.

As one chief stated:

"We're deeply concerned about the concerted and aggressive marketing campaign advanced by Vanoc which suggests the indigenous people of B.C. and Canada enjoy a very comfortable and high standard of living. The Disneyesque promotional materials suggests a cosy relationship between aboriginal people of the province with all levels of government and it completely ignores the horrific levels of poverty our people endure on a daily basis."

- Sums up my view of what the ceremony represents for them.

I believe this show was a form of payola for allowing the use of native symbolism.

"The native peoples in this country of around 33 million are also likely to get center stage as their cultures have shaped everything in these Games from the logo to the medals."

Link

is the only link I have found that ties the two issues together.

It did not help matters that native protester Harriet Nahanee, an elderly woman died after being held in prison for two weeks and contracting pneumonia.

"Nahanee had been weak from the flu and asthma in January, and it was widely suspected that Nahanee's condition worsened during her incarceration at the Surrey Pre-Trial Centre. An independent public inquiry into her passing was called for in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia on March 5. Solicitor-General John Les said the provincial government expressed regret for the passing but denied any government responsibility and refused opposition requests for an inquiry." - Wikipedia

No consideration was given to the least of these, but every effort was made to aid and assist the big powers in achieving their objectives. She and others like her may have been given a brief moment to hear their concerns, then simply swept aside.

Also of interest, at one point the federal government attempted to take control of the content of the opening ceremony, but this was opposed by the olympic commission.

"The Olympics opening ceremony will not be influenced by the politics of the Harper government as any veto powers that it might have been thought to hold have been taken away from it. When the government mentioned its intention to fund the Olympics opening ceremony in order to gain control over what content is displayed it had caused a great stir amongst certain groups who claimed it to be an attempt by the government to interfere in matters of exercise and art."

http://www.makli.com/olympics-opening-ceremony-0025047/

Not saying it was because of the indians, as I can't prove it but if I know my Stephen, he would not have wanted this show to take place in the form it did. Judging by the scowl on his face during the performance, I think he did not enjoy it. The queer artists (and I don't mean homosexual) who designed this even used incomplete sound bytes of the Canadian national anthem during the festivity, one camera shot showing Prime Minister Harper attempting to sing along, only to be cut off after the first stanza as the merry melodies whipped around. He looked puzzled and annoyed.

Edited February 14, 2010 by Sir Bandelot

[Sir Bandelot]

Um, when did I argue for them dancing in any sponsored events?

You didn't. So we agree on that point at least. And this is all about the opening ceremony, not your hatred for all things native, me boyo.

[Shady]

In a discussion at dinner my teenage daughter told me that they had a debate at school last week, and it was revealed that the natives were upset about the use of the inukshuk as the olympic logo. I hadn't heard of this before, so looked online for more info about it. Native leaders were angry about the use of their sacred symbols, and that the inukshuk had been altered into a comical form, like "pac-man" as one of the chiefs said. There were other issues as well, land claims and such, as one would expect from natives. I don't know if they had legitimate legal rights or not, but would not be surprised if environmental laws and treaties were broken. These are the claims. This conflict goes back several years as the olympic planning was underway. With the olympics coming up imminently there is no time to deal with these disputes in courts, so the show must go on.

As one chief stated:

"We're deeply concerned about the concerted and aggressive marketing campaign advanced by Vanoc which suggests the indigenous people of B.C. and Canada enjoy a very comfortable and high standard of living. The Disneyesque promotional materials suggests a cosy relationship between aboriginal people of the province with all levels of government and it completely ignores the horrific levels of poverty our people endure on a daily basis."

- Sums up my view of what the ceremony represents for them.

I believe this show was a form of payola for allowing the use of native symbolism.

"The native peoples in this country of around 33 million are also likely to get center stage as their cultures have shaped everything in these Games from the logo to the medals."

Link

is the only link I have found that ties the two issues together.

It did not help matters that native protester Harriet Nahanee, an elderly woman died after being held in prison for two weeks and contracting pneumonia.

"Nahanee had been weak from the flu and asthma in January, and it was widely suspected that Nahanee's condition worsened during her incarceration at the Surrey Pre-Trial Centre. An independent public inquiry into her passing was called for in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia on March 5. Solicitor-General John Les said the provincial government expressed regret for the passing but denied any government responsibility and refused opposition requests for an inquiry." - Wikipedia

No consideration was given to the least of these, but every effort was made to aid and assist the big powers in achieving their objectives. She and others like her may have been given a brief moment to hear their concerns, then simply swept aside.

Also of interest, at one point the federal government attempted to take control of the content of the opening ceremony, but this was opposed by the olympic commission.

"The Olympics opening ceremony will not be influenced by the politics of the Harper government as any veto powers that it might have been thought to hold have been taken away from it. When the government mentioned its intention to fund the Olympics opening ceremony in order to gain control over what content is displayed it had caused a great stir amongst certain groups who claimed it to be an attempt by the government to interfere in matters of exercise and art."

http://www.makli.com/olympics-opening-ceremony-0025047/

Not saying it was because of the indians, as I can't prove it but if I know my Stephen, he would not have wanted this show to take place in the form it did. Judging by the scowl on his face during the performance, I think he did not enjoy it. The queer artists (and I don't mean homosexual) who designed this even used incomplete sound bytes of the Canadian national anthem during the festivity, one camera shot showing Prime Minister Harper attempting to sing along, only to be cut off after the first stanza as the merry melodies whipped around. He looked puzzled and annoyed.

I thought you said it was about tourism? Are you finally giving up on that pathetic and untrue meme? Are you finally acknowledging that tourists aren't permitted on private property by law, and that some fear of a tourist invasion is absurd and illogical?

Natives don't have the right to dictate the tourism policy of Canada. Especially when the tourism industry helps fund the free everything they currently have access to. I'm sure everyone wishes they didn't have to pay taxes, while at the same time have access to free healthcare, and free university and/or college education. Must be nice. Unfortunately for the rest of us serfs in the real world, we have to pay taxes, as well as our student loans.

[kimmy]

I found the whole indian thing was hypocritical. As though we in Canada really care much about the indians and their culture at all. Most of them live in complete squalor, don't even running water or flush toilets. They live their lives completely destitute in their own filth, with no future. Canada atoned for Japanes internment but not for the abuses carried out on indian youth, mentally and physically in roman catholic detention camps. But hey, Haida ho. Dance you mofos.

I drive through a nearby reserve on occasion on the way to visit a friend who lives there... and the reserve is definitely a dump. Pretty much literally... dead cars and appliances and rotting furniture in every yard, dilapidated houses that nobody can be bothered to put a coat of paint on...

And yet, the band council members all drive around in brand new $50,000 pickup trucks.

I asked my friend what the deal is, and he explained that every year the government provides grants to the band council for some project, and the expenditures for the project usually consist of new pickups for the band council, and then hiring few friends or relatives to allegedly provide labor, which basically consists of driving around the reserve (with a shovel in the bed of their truck) for a couple of months. And by the end of the "project", no actual work has been done, but the friends and relatives have received a few months of salary and the band council got new trucks, and nobody actually knows what the supposed project was even supposed to be for so nobody actually notices that it hasn't been done.

-k

[eyeball]

delete

Edited February 14, 2010 by eyeball

[eyeball]

I drive through a nearby reserve on occasion on the way to visit a friend who lives there... and the reserve is definitely a dump. Pretty much literally... dead cars and appliances and rotting furniture in every yard, dilapidated houses that nobody can be bothered to put a coat of paint on...

And yet, the band council members all drive around in brand new $50,000 pickup trucks.

I asked my friend what the deal is, and he explained that every year the government provides grants to the band council for some project, and the expenditures for the project usually consist of new pickups for the band council, and then hiring few friends or relatives to allegedly provide labor, which basically consists of driving around the reserve (with a shovel in the bed of their truck) for a couple of months. And by the end of the "project", no actual work has been done, but the friends and relatives have received a few months of salary and the band council got new trucks, and nobody actually knows what the supposed project was even supposed to be for so nobody actually notices that it hasn't been done.

-k

It's been pretty much the same on the reserves where I live, and the deal as it's been explained to me is that this corruption can be traced back to the Indian Act and the manner in which it empowers band councils. It should be fairly obvious that lolly is used to buy votes and garner support for the governing band council. The government knows full well, through it's own administrative agents on band council's, that 'projects' don't get done, they haven't been getting done this way on reserves for generations now.

These deliberately divisive policies of the government have done even worse damage at the level where different bands interact. The friends I have in the know tell me it was fairly common for the government to build a bunch of houses or infrastructure, such as they were, on one reserve and ignore the neighboring one's. This policy of divide and conquer has only served to slow the efforts of native bands to band together in common cause.

I imagine most of Canada would likewise be looking pretty dilapidated if we and our communities and provinces were likewise being jerked around.

[Sir Bandelot]

it's been explained to me is that this corruption can be traced back to the Indian Act and the manner in which it empowers band councils. The government knows full well, through it's own administrative agents on band council's, that 'projects' don't get done, they haven't been getting done this way on reserves for generations now.

That's the first thing I thought when I read kimmys post, where is the accountability? If they are giving my tax dollars to the natives and it gets misappropriated, I want answers from the Mnister of Indian Affairs.

[Sir Bandelot]

I thought you said it was about tourism? Are you finally giving up on that pathetic and untrue meme? Are you finally acknowledging that tourists aren't permitted on private property by law, and that some fear of a tourist invasion is absurd and illogical?

No, I'm not giving it up. I'll explain it to you more clearly again, to help you with your comprehension issues. The IOC wants tourism, the natives and protestors do not. Simple as that.

My view, they have the right to build resorts and promote tourism, where it does not break existing treaties and environmental laws. I like to believe in the law. When the law is abused y the government because its too inconvenient to obey, it undermines my faith in our society.

[kimmy]

That's the first thing I thought when I read kimmys post, where is the accountability? If they are giving my tax dollars to the natives and it gets misappropriated, I want answers from the Mnister of Indian Affairs.

Yeah, it's great to call for accountability. It seems like a reasonable request. At least right up to the part where some native leader steps in front of some cameras and says...

"Who is the white man to say how we spend money in our own communities? The white man does not know our lands, our people, our needs. We want our rights. We want to decide what is best for our own people. Why is the white man trying to force his way onto our lands to take control of our councils? This is an attack on our people."

...then we'll see how calls for accountability work out.

-k

[eyeball]

Yeah, it's great to call for accountability. It seems like a reasonable request. At least right up to the part where some native leader steps in front of some cameras and says...

"Who is the white man to say how we spend money in our own communities? The white man does not know our lands, our people, our needs. We want our rights. We want to decide what is best for our own people. Why is the white man trying to force his way onto our lands to take control of our councils? This is an attack on our people."

...then we'll see how calls for accountability work out.

-k

If things are that unfair native people who are not in leadership positions are also bound to speak up sooner or later. I think this natural human process like most within native communities has been slow to emerge because of the effects and shock of first contact, the full recovery from which is still probably a few generations off. People and young native people especially, the fastest growing demographic in Canada, are finding their voices and around here at least the old guard is definitely up against a challenge. Like I said these are powerful times for native people.

In the meantime I can't help but shake the feeling that Ottawa is still following a path of divide and conquer but the focus is more on driving wedges between native and non-native people now. Letting aggravating things like in this case percolate until they erupt into publicized events that galvanize anger, resentment and loathing amongst native people has been a time-honored tradition in Ottawa and provincial capitals too. Now they can count on the media and a public propensity for outrage to channel some of that anger, resentment and loathing into the non-native population in a cynical attempt to stall the inevitable. It's all very colonial.

[Sir Bandelot]

Yeah, it's great to call for accountability. It seems like a reasonable request. At least right up to the part where some native leader steps in front of some cameras and says...

"Who is the white man to say how we spend money in our own communities? The white man does not know our lands, our people, our needs. We want our rights. We want to decide what is best for our own people. Why is the white man trying to force his way onto our lands to take control of our councils? This is an attack on our people."

...then we'll see how calls for accountability work out.

Thats what I would expect them to say, if they were criminals embezzling the public funds. It's not unlike what union thugs might do. Does that mean we should just shrug and forget it, and continue to hand over the cash? WHat exactly are you trying to say.

[kimmy]

Thats what I would expect them to say, if they were criminals embezzling the public funds. It's not unlike what union thugs might do. Does that mean we should just shrug and forget it, and continue to hand over the cash? WHat exactly are you trying to say.

What I'm trying to say is that when some native leader steps up to the podium and accuses the government of racism and of oppressing their native traditions and so on and so on, any government appetite for accountability is going to vanish in a hurry.

-k

[GostHacked]

I thought anything on the web was "world wide" unless the government blocked it. Does that mean Canada is blocking it from Canadian servers? In other words, is it due to Canadian law? I suppose not, if no international viewers can watch it. I find that odd.

This kind of thing is easily controlled. When I access the website, it checks my IP and does a lookup to see what ISP I am with and in what country. Then it loads the whole video wasting my bandwidth just to say I can't watch it from where I am.

Information on the Internet now is quite controlled.

[M.Dancer]

You're American. We just get a message saying that international viewers can't watch it because international and US law.

There are excerpts of it on ctvolympics.ca, but I don't see the whole thing there. I'm sure it will how up somewhere eventually.

There are reams of youtube videos, mainly from the US that we can't access here due to coyright restrictions....mainly I think...because the content is mirrored on a Canadian site...ie: the John Stewart Show on Comedy Central..watch it on the Comedy Channel.

I imagine CTV has simialr coppyright safegaurds inplace.

[M.Dancer]

This kind of thing is easily controlled. When I access the website, it checks my IP and does a lookup to see what ISP I am with and in what country. Then it loads the whole video wasting my bandwidth just to say I can't watch it from where I am.

Information on the Internet now is quite controlled.

Absolutely. There are certain sites that host vertical market ads, the ads can be hyperlinked, unless your IP is a .edu and is outside there market area.

They avoid having their site clogged with redundant viewers

[Argus]

There are reams of youtube videos, mainly from the US that we can't access here due to coyright restrictions....mainly I think...because the content is mirrored on a Canadian site...ie: the John Stewart Show on Comedy Central..watch it on the Comedy Channel.

I imagine CTV has simialr coppyright safegaurds inplace.

Then it would be nice if CTV had video of the opening ceremonies on their web site. But they do not.

[M.Dancer]

Then it would be nice if CTV had video of the opening ceremonies on their web site. But they do not.

My computer begs to differ...

http://www.ctvolympics.ca/video/collections/collectionid=40427/index.html

http://www.ctvolympics.ca/video/collections/collectionid=40427/index.html

[Topaz]

It didn't surprise me when the First Nation people came on stage, that's were a lot of them live especially British Columbia. The only time I was surprised was the US winter games, I think but not sure, Salt Lake city?? It was the first time I remember the US observing their First Nation and it was a good performance.

[Oleg Bach]

The Indians that danced in their splendid glory will get punched out on the streets by drunken natives for being rats.