Native Art News

A collection of articles pertaining to the art of the Aboriginals of the Northwest Coast of Canada. Known as First Nations, the Native artists of the Northwest have developed unparalleled creative skills in monumental wood carving, dance, song and design. Poised to dominate the landscape for the 2010 Winter Olympics, the following showcases the artisans at their best.

Keeping it Authentic!

The following is a post from From Shain Jackson, President of Spirit Works Limited about the authenticity of native products used for the 2010 Winter Games:

Please, we need your support,

We are Aboriginal producers of Authentic Aboriginal Products in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, home of the 2010 Winter Olympic games. We define our products as Authentic in that they are designed, produced, and distributed by us, Aboriginal People, with the benefits going back to our communities where they are so desperately needed.

Olympics Neither Authentic nor Accountable

There are very few direct sources of revenue capable of alleviating the poor conditions existing within Canadian First Nations communities. The sale of our locally made Aboriginal products is probably the biggest one.

Unfortunately unscrupulous non-Aboriginal actors have devised ways to re-route this much needed source of income right into their own pockets. It appears that the Olympics itself has been used as a mass means of facilitating this practice.

PETITION Olympics to Respect Aboriginal Authenticity

Local Aboriginal producers of “Authentic Aboriginal Products” — those designed, produced and distributed by Aboriginal people in Canada –- are dismayed by the lack of commitment to authenticity and accountability of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic Games (VANOC). We took VANOC at its word when it promised unprecedented support for Aboriginal economic development as well as Aboriginal employment and training leading up to and during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Vocal Native Artist Removed From Olympic Artisan Village for Refusing Censorship

shain jackson of spirit works authentic aboriginal products Vancouver – A Local Aboriginal art producer, critical of the Olympics’ Aboriginal Licensing and Merchandising Program has been informed he cannot participate in the Olympic Artisan Village unless he allows approval of his communications regarding the Olympics.