Since their beginning, the Olympics have been known as a time of great significance. People all over the world stop what they’re doing and follow the athletes as they represent their countries.
Although it is a time of competition, it is also a time of camaraderie, when nations band together to support their own athletes and those from other countries, and recognize the bonds of sportsmanship.
Every two years, friends and family gather around their television to witness the opening ceremony of the Games and watch countries around the world come together.
The opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada served to educate viewers about the history of Canada’s founding.
At least that’s what it seemed like. As a nod to the culture of the indigenous people, the ceremony included recognition of the aboriginal tribes as the first nations of Canada. With the announcing of each tribe, members of each nation came onto the stage in their traditional dress to dance, cry out and celebrate the coming of the Olympic Games.
This has stirred some controversy in regards to the current issues affecting the people of Canada and the aboriginal tribes. Tense land disputes have broken out over dams built on the property of the tribes and the destruction of certain ancestral lands.
Debatably, the Olympic opening ceremony “glorified” the native tribes, denying any conflict and struggle they are experiencing. It showed what Canadians wanted people to see, not reality.
While I do agree with this criticism in a sense, I do not believe that Canada should have addressed the dam issue. At least not in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.
In fact, I don’t believe any tension should be addressed in an Olympic opening (or closing) ceremony. I’m not saying that the Canadians and the aboriginal tribes should just sweep their issues under the rug. I’m just saying that international television is not the place to do it, especially at an event such as the Olympics.
As I’ve said before, the Olympics provide a time for celebration and unity. What unity could be achieved if the host country only presents its conflicts? How are the athletes and the spectators supposed to feel any sense of togetherness when the host country shows them scenes of disagreement?
There is enough discord in the world as is, and the Olympic Games are a time when everyone can forget about it for just two weeks every two years.
So I say good job Canada for presenting a history that included the four founding tribes. There may be issues, but for now, set them aside and let everyone unite for these two weeks.
Izzy Peris ‘12 (peris@stolaf.edu) is from St. Paul, Minn. She majors in English, Spanish and dance.
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