"We bring a better way, a handshake crushing bone."
It's funny, the raging patriotism of the past few weeks making headlines across the country and the world...and now this. Euphoria doled out in perfect accord to the prescription, and then snap back to the real world. Canada was on display as the perfect, shining example of fairness, respect and equality; we were the embodiment of the Olympic spirit. Well, some of us, anyway. Turns out that some of Canadians are simply more fair, more respected and more equal than others.
Did anyone notice how even our inclusion of First Nations into the Games was more a parade of pets than a celebration of our family? "sure, you can be part of the opening ceremonies, but we'll tell you how to dress, how to act." For all the armchair O'Riley's who decried the Games, even they failed to pick up on our collective paternalism. The Indian Act? Even the name is disgusting, and reflective of how backward and repressive we still are. We saw how we're willing to treat those with something to offer us. Look at how we still treat those we've taken everything from.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/03/10/native-status.html
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Hey I really liked this blog. I'm glad someone else had the same feelings I did! It's strange how watching the Olympics made me both proud to be Canadian and more than a little disturbed at how we want aboriginal culture to represent us without actually supporting them. Did you also notice that the Olympic committee was selling "aboriginal designed" clothing, that's actually made in China!!! GAH...come on Canada!
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