Feature stories

Aboriginal Artisans in the Olympic Spotlight

The eyes of the world descend upon Vancouver and Whistler in February for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and no doubt most of the attention will be focused of the exploits of the world-class athletes competing. However, even the most ardent sports fan will want to explore what Vancouver and Whistler have to offer away from the rink, ski hill, or luge track. One option right in the middle of downtown Vancouver is the Aboriginal Artisan Village and Business Showcase.

The Four Host First Nations in partnership with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Métis Nation of Canada/Métis Nation of BC, have developed an Aboriginal Artisan Village and Business Showcase program. The program is meant to give First Nations, Inuit, and Métis artists a chance to share their traditional art and culture with the massive amount of visitors expected to pour into the downtown core during the games. Visitors will be able to view and purchase a diverse array of authentic artwork from artists representing traditional and contemporary styles. Some proceeds from the Showcase will help support the Vancouver 2010 Aboriginal Youth Legacy Fund — a fund created by VANOC and the FHFN to support sport, culture, sustainability and education initiatives for First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth, Canada-wide.

"As a First Nations person myself, I am proud to be a part of Olympic history as Aboriginal peoples are recognized as true partners in the Games. The Artisan Village will have 30 artisans showcasing and selling their products to an international audience on any given day during the Games. With over 100 artists rotating every three days over the 17 day period, there will always be something new to see for visitors to the Artisan Village," said Vanessa Mountain, Specialist, Aboriginal Procurement for VANOC and the Director for the Aboriginal Artisan Village. Each day the public will get the unique opportunity to watch some of the artists craft their wares on-site as a demonstration of their technique and to allow them to explain some of the background of particular pieces.

Though the games take place on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish and Interior Salish people, the distinct form and lines of the westcoast style of art will only represent a fraction of the styles that will be sold. From the north, Inuit carvers will bring with them their famous carvings of polar bears, seals, or whales made of soapstone, whale bone or ivory. The distinctive floral beadwork of Métis artists will be featured as well as the meticulously weaved baskets and hats of Northwest Coast First Nations.

Dawn Oman, a Métis artist from Yellowknife, is thrilled to have the chance to bring her unique brand of northern inspired art to Vancouver. "What people can expect to see when they come to my booth is a variety of small to medium stretched canvases in very vibrant colours depicting the people and animals that live in Canada's north," said Oman. "It's going to be a great showcase because, as you know, there will be people from all around the world and it will expose my work to a whole new group of collectors."

What those collectors will find is a stable of artists proud to share such a significant part of themselves with the world. "I guess whole idea is that Aboriginal people can make living from artwork feeds into idea of culture and art instead of working at conventional jobs that don't reflect who we are as people," said Andrew Dexel, a young Coast Salish artist from the Nlaka'pamux Nation in BC known for his fusion of graffiti style work with traditional westcoast designs, "I hope my work will inspire others and open up their view to a different perspective."

It is what sets the 2010 Winter Games apart from most other Games: the inclusion of the Aboriginal identity in every facet of the Games. When the world comes to Vancouver they will find an event steeped in the heritage of the Indigenous peoples promoting a unique worldview and proudly proclaiming, this is who we are.

Visit the Aboriginal Artisan Village and Business Showcase at 250 West Pender Street in Vancouver from February 12-28, 2010. Hours of operation are 10am to 10pm daily. Attendance is free of charge.