The 2010 Olympic Opening Ceremonies: ‘Dances With Gord’
There was a necessity for redemption, until about the magical moment Rick Hansen entered the Olympic opening ceremonies; I thought we might have repaired ourselves in the eyes of Canadians. Might.
You’ll notice I mention, CANADIANS. For there cannot be an objective opinion which will resonate that the opening ceremonies were anything but pandering, cliché accommodation of vanishing minorities.
I have written many times of the incredible damage the Premier has done to native communities in British Columbia. His pandering, false loyalty and manufactured respect are nothing short of tragic. Why on earth we chose to show the world that we are all the clichés that, on any other day, we wish to escape, is beyond me.
The native presentation was over-the-top, unnecessary at that volume and ill-placed. Yes, of course we should include some part of it, but honest to God, it was despicable for such superfluous quarter, to the extent that in light of what little provincial and federal governments have done to help the native community, I had to wonder aloud why they would even be pawns in such a shameless charade.
In this country, if you are a native child, you are many times more likely to: Suffer a social or physical trauma by age one; not graduate from high school; leave home well before your eighteenth birthday or develop a drug or alcohol problem by your 15th birthday.
Tell me again how much we care?
The natives of this land do not need (or have earned) egregious special status, golf courses or short-term fixes like treaties with cash and carry that helps only their generations close to retirement. We need to embrace them, as we embraced so many millions of immigrants that came to this land over the last couple of hundred years, and fix the problems that ail them. Our national disgrace is that, in this province, we have allowed a unconscionable man, Gordon Campbell, to switch the agenda, to pretense and folly, where native issues are concerned. Surely we have not become so cynical, that we think the problems that plague natives from sea to sea to sea are going to go away if we simply throw some money in their direction and hand over some land? Shame on you Gordon Campbell. Your hand was readily evident in these ceremonies and it was embarrassing. The native people of this land should stop the growing layers of bureaucratic excess, lose their “status” and pay taxes and live lawful, productive lives like everyone else. Those that can’t make it should be assisted, by all means, but the pandering and kowtowing is enough legislative vomit–tax paid!
Then, as if to further add insult to ourselves, Batman emerged in a blue plastic boat and fiddled against a vignette of the moon, and someone somewhat resembling a sick moron I once had the misfortune to meet, named Ashley McIssac, appeared to fiddle his way into yet another ridiculous segment.
Although, Nelly Furtado and Bryan Adams were lovely and the great poem was endearing. As for Sarah MacLaughlin: Talented, sexy, incredible, marvelous, enchanting, stupendous. Enough?
But I digress…
If we were REALLY interested in showcasing something of our Canadian “culture”, we would have had Indo-Canadian, Chinese, Greek, Irish, Scottish, English, Jewish, Polish, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Ukranian and Portuguese dancers as part of the ceremonies. These, most definitely, were most of the ethnicities that built this country. They built this land, but the Premier only recognizes the traditional territories of the natives. The rest are forgotten because he has foolishly found religion in false aboriginal cause.
The middle piece with the orcas and forest was largely terrific, but then, without delay–to fail us again, we were treated soon enough to a French-Canadian song that meant nothing more than the opportunity to have all three hundred staunch Francophones left in this province dancing in the aisles at the recognition. It was entirely out of place and meant less than zero.
Mostly, it was a ceremony about absurdity. Until the end.
Whomever chose Hansen, LeMay-Doan, Nash and Gretzky, arguably our best known and most cherished athletes, to finish off this debacle, must have seen the script the Premier of Monumental Monumentality wrote, and added a final page without his blessing (thankfully).
Parenthetically, my own childhood hero, Bobby Orr, was also honoured just prior. I could see, quite vividly, why he might not have been in the final four: He was barely able to walk on those battered Bruin knees that provided so much magic for us as kids; he could not have withstood even the minor rigors of running across the stadium floor to light the torch. But it was magic to see him there. And Betty Fox…every time I see her I want to kiss her. What a treasure…
As for Gretzky, I will say only this: The Olympic Games is about the triumph of athletic greatness. No one, let me repeat, no one, in the new era of the pretend hero will do what Wayne Gretzky did. He was and will always remain our greatest athlete. It was altogether right that he lit the cauldron and then ran out and be driven to light the flame on the foreshore. Although, I must state my utter astonishment that his security detail was so invisible. Anything nasty could have happened considering the IDIOTS from the APC and other on-demand protestors (see follow-up post)
As a whole, the ceremony was far less than acceptable. It showed the world that we are a country of natives, igloos, frozen tundra, Francophones–and buskers and panhandlers, who look like they were picked up at Main and Terminal, had their squeegees and joints ripped from their hands and lips, then handed violins prior to allowing for a bloody shower.
And to ourselves, particularly in this province, it was further confirmation that Gordon Campbell is a destructive man who must leave us as soon as possible. His obvious pandering to the natives only to buy their silence through the next few weeks, will undoubtedly hurt us for years to come.
When they drop their insane claims, like circling a map of the province and submitting same, maybe I will be more accommodating too.
Maybe.
On the upside, the spectators were not subjected to an inane speech from the great Gordo.
A subject you did not touch on is the rantings of Jean Charest, James Moore and Graham Fraser on the amount of French included in the spectacle. These are rediculous statements and each of them should issue a retraction forthwith. All the PA announcements were stated in French first then in English, the country banners were written in French first the English and Quebec was well represented by the entourage that carried in the Olympic flag. What more do they want?
Hell, for my money, their statements have probably set back relations between English speaking Canada and French speaking Canada by 100 years.
Maybe it’s time to drop the facade that Canada is bilingual and call a spade a spade. If I remember correctly Canada only became officially bilingual under the leadership of Lester B. Pearson, and that was for no other reason than to suck up to Quebecers to get their votes for future elections. The real rub is that the only province that does not abide by the rule that Canada is bilingual is Quebec. When will our federal parties grow enough stones to address this issue? Maybe it’s time for a referendum of all Canadians to choose whether Canada is unilingual or a pseudo bilingual country.
And while we are at it, now may be the time that we redesigned the distribution of federal seats to reflect the populations of each province and territories in a fair and equitable manor, and likewise the senate.
If all Canadians are supposedly equal then they should be treated as such. What we have now is that some Canadians are more equal than others and that is just plain wrong. As things sit now Canada is basically a country consisting of two provinces, Ontario and Quebec, and the rest are orphans that have been rescued from the cold.
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Now somebody’s talkin’ my talk…I am a Mordecai Richler Canadian…always have been, always will be.
Cheers!
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Today I heard Kevin Kruger apologizing to I’m not sure who about the supposed lack of enough French in the opening ceremonies. First of all, didn’t the provincial government delegate the running of the olympics to Vanoc? Why is he even opening up his yap?
At least John Furlong had the stones to tell the Eastern media that they were basically flogging a dead horse. Maybe some support from the provincial government would have been a little more appropriate in this case.
I guess those that are wont to see the closing ceremonies will either have to be prepared to read English subtitles throughout the ceremony or be subjected to the ever annoying English translator talking over the sounds being created by the cast. That should curry a host of positive news reports around the rest of the world. NOT!
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Yeah, I agree certainly. As for ‘Foghorn’ Kruger…definitely one of the MLAs who should not survive the next candidate selection. Always about as sharp as a butter knife… But such a Campbell hoover…can’t imagine how he survived! LOL!
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A rousing chorus of support for you on this one AT. I could hardly believe the sheer pomposity of the native display. I agree they should not have been party to the pandering, however, in yesteryear it was beads and booze, now its money and airtime. Nothing has changed has it? Once again they allow themselves to be pimped out for cheap wampum. And they want public support in their ludicrous land claims?
As for my second bout of apoplexy, I am outraged at having french before English in all the announcements, as well as french first on the country signs carried by the athletes. I wish they would just leave so I could read my cornflakes box on any side.
The utter hubis of the opening ceremony is just beyond description. Canada is becoming lost in the smothering PC blanket of self aggrandizement of those in authority. A pox on those that chose not to include other vibrant facets of Canadiana.
ribbitt eh?
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Yes, and it’s bloody offensive. What a pile of cowards in the media that they chose to turn the other (butt) cheek. Many thx for your fine comments.
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Firstly let me say i thought the french content was adequate but I’m shocked at this comment on Language. I am a born and bred Vancouverite, and Fluent in both our official languages( FROM PUBLIC SCHOOL not family) and I find your comments on the Language debate backwards and selfish. There was barely any French to begin with and your making a fuss about French coming first? What does it matter? Frankly, I would expect this kind of comment from an American not a Canadian. So what, you have to listen to some french, maybe if you tried you might pick some up, its very gratifying learning a second language, not to mention a useful job skill. This ceremony was representing Canada, a country with two official languages, an a significant number of whom speak French, and as a matter of protocol, official functions require a 50/50 on language, your lucky it wasn’t nearly that ratio.
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Actually Max, let me help you there. The number of fluent French speakers outside Quebec is actually insignificant. In fact, woeful. And the ceremony did not represent Canada anymore than I represent Buddha: Just because I look a little like the real thing doesn’t mean I am.
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Hi Alex,The reality of the Olympics:
Another 4 excellent columns and once again I did see most of my opinions reflected on your writing, I hope the 2010 Olympics will be a success for Canada, financially (doubtful) and medal count (hopefully), I say that, not because it is “my duty” as a Canadian, but because it is plain common sense and the “Rent-a-Crowd” anarchists should stop trying to destroy them, it is contra-productive, to their cause (What Cause?) and the time for it is long past. I will add nothing to the athletic concept of the Olympics, which you define perfectly above.
Unfortunately, there are misconceptions about the Olympics, they are not a “Thousand years old tradition” there was a thousand years interruption from the Greek games based on Ancient Greek Mythology, until the “completely different” present ones restarted in the late 19th century, with the so-called “Traditions” added gradually later.
The Olympics have, unfortunately, not brought peace to the World, instead they have been misused often to disguisedly promote conflict, ideologic promotion and personal financial greed, they had boycotts, terrorism, drugs and even corruption.
Just evaluate all the hype created in Canada and the mostly favourable public reaction, it was done done democratically, but think, how it could be and has been misused in a dictatorship.
The Opening Ceremony, despite a few snags was OK and those being derogatory, and comparing it with China, please, once again common sense is required. I will not elaborate on the problems, you did point out most of them, except with one question: Am I imagining a “Conspiracy Theory” or the Arctic segment had a visualization with the “White Ice Shield Breaking Up into small Islands scattered on a Wide Blue Ocean” very similar to the AGW Pictographics a “La-Al Gore” still seen very often?
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Total agreement. The Olympic Games are long gone, replaced by an over-commercialized, corporate circle jerk…with a smattering of athletic prowess–like the wonderful Bilodeau story.
Good to hear from you as always.
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While watching the opening ceremonies I had some of the same feelings expressed above. Too much native involvement, and not enough recognition for those who settled this land between 1867 and 1930, who endured incredible hardships to build Canada into what it was.
My grandparents came from Europe in the late teens or early 20′s of the 20th century and settled in the prairies. To see the mud filled log homes they struggled to live adequately in those first few years, in the middle of wind-blown fields, one can hardly believe how they survived.
In fact they barely did; my father’s father perished when he was 7, my mother’s mother perished when she was just 13. Both were left to help raise their families, one in the 30′s, the other during WWII. They both missed out on school to help their families, while not complaining and just trying to make the best out of their lives.
I only tell this story because as Alex wrote, there are many, many immigrants with similar stories, that were absolutely ignored and insulted by the excessive native inclusion, in a country they have not contributed to since it’s inception.
Natives in this country suffer not only from the effects of alcoholism, and drug abuse, but also from not having the ability to look within themselves for the strength or ability to change and grow. Instead they continue to look to others to solve their own problems and to enrich them along the way.
It’s no wonder their problems never seem to end; they want the impossible, and we patronize them by continuing the charade. It’s time to do what New Zealand did and legislate one settlement once and for all, make them equal citizens that pay tax, and have everyone move on.
Then maybe in a generation or two, we can all live side by side without the hatred, racism [that works both ways native elders], and animosity that exists today.
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I’m guessing our less than stellar opening ceremony has something to do with the next election.
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Perhaps… but there is no question in my mind that Campbell had a huge hand in the opening ceremonies. And shoudn’t have!
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On the French, I have a bit of a different opinion than crankypants above.
I’m not at all pleased with the complaints about the lack of French in the opening ceremony. It’s nothing but petty politics to head-off the Parti Quebecois provincially, and Bloc Quebecois, federally from their pre-planned Monday morning bitch-fest.
Their speeches were written weeks if not months ago, and frankly no matter whose mouth this crap comes from, it does nothing but piss off the rest of Canada, English and French speaking.
When one is evaluating how much French was in these ceremonies, one should not consider the announcer, who was using French first, and English second in his announcements. The official language of the IOC is French and it’s spoken first at all games regardless of the host country.
What I learned from watching the US feed of the opening ceremonies was that the batman canoe moment [as Alex describes] was actually to do with a Quebec legend of a haunted canoe. I’m not sure if a fiddler [in the canoe] was part of the legend, but the CTV color commentary by the rent-a-CBC goof, was absolutely terrible.
I urge anyone who reads this to watch any re-run of the opening ceremonies on NBC to learn more of what meaning there was behind the various segments. It appears as though Matt Lauer and Bob Costas actually did their homework to educate their American viewers.
As usual CTV dialed it in, first by getting someone from the CBC, and secondly by thinking that they were Canadian enough, along with their viewers, to understand the symbolism of things most of us haven’t taken in grade school in 30 or more years.
Other than the far too excessive native involvement, the only other failure in my mind was CTV as the broadcaster. It was absolutely painful to watch.
Why I had to learn about a Quebec legend [ghost canoe] and other Canadiana tidbits from an American broadcaster is absolutely beyond words.
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Because Shaw hasn’t busted up CanWest yet. And one person at CanWest who needs to leave, hasn’t been shown the door–yet! Otherwise they’ve got some super talent, particularly at the Post and Global TV locally has some very good talent too.
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Last point on the French.
For a number of years as a senior manager of a company with a head office in Montreal, I traveled the country quite a bit [35-40 week a year]. In some years I would visit Quebec as many as 20 times, along with being fortunate enough to travel this country from end to end.
During these trips, I met my partner, a most wonderful girl. My partner is a 16th generation Canadian, of French decent. Her ancestors came in 1652. There aren’t too many people in the country who go back that far, and can honestly call themselves true French-Canadians.
I often joke with her, that really it’s her family that stole land from the Mohawks and are at the root of the problems in Kanesatake. Don’t get me started on my real feelings here, you can read them in my comment above.
Anyway, I in no way support any pandering to any race or culture, however we as a country need to stop bickering over this – and that goes for both sides. As a very proud prairie-boy, at one point in my life those words would have never come from my mouth.
One thing I have grown very proud of as a Canadian, IS having a French-speaking Quebec as part of Canada. I don’t have a problem with them protecting their language – to a point. What I have a problem with is the politics in doing so.
Back during the referendum in 1995, a journalist had a unique idea I’ve been in support of since I read it. Give Western Canadians a tax credit to visit Quebec, and give Quebecers a tax credit to visit the west.
I’ve been there so many times I can’t count and it’s become part of MY Canada. I wish that every Canadian would have the opportunity I’ve had, because I know first hand this issue would solve itself without politics.
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Very disappointing, that didn’t represent Canada. French first, think not!
We have only gotten french signage in the past few months(except gov’t buildings.Lets be honest Vancouver has more culture appropriate signage.
Canada is multicultural… the natives are the first residents, and as I have said before, look into the faces of the drug addicted and homeless and what is the largest population… IMO it is the natives.
Whoever was in charge of production and planning should write a letter of apology to Wayne Gretzky. When that truck took off with no tailgate, no security and nothing to hold him in place!!! My heart stopped on that one.
The entire thing was nothing but pandering.
I could have suggested better Canadian Icons to represent.
Catherine MacKinnon (of Don Messer Jubilee fame) and Rita McNeil for the entertainment from the East Coast. , the ones that have paid their dues to this Country by going to the troups and entertaining for many years.But that would have included older talent Just wasn’t the Canada I know. I did enjoy parts, like the Orka, but Peter Pan could have stayed home.
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Agreed. I like the fact that Richmond told them all to pack sand when they wanted French on the oval. Haven’t looked lately, but I hope they left it the way it was. I think French culture is wonderful, but it’s wonderful where it belongs. In Quebec.
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Some excellent comments Alex.
While I found much of the opening ceremonies to be breathtaking in presentation, I was taken aback by the both the homage to the salmon so vital to the history of province, as well as the great stands of ancient conifers inherent to our coastal forests – considering the destruction to our natural wild salmon stocks that has been aided and abetted by Campbell’s administration ( see Alexandra Morten or Rafe Mairs site for that debacle), and the continued sell-off, trade and cutting of many pristine areas of ancient giants!!!
Ironic at best, insulting at worst, to those who’ve fought so hard to save both.
And yes, while I fully appreciate the history and contributions of our native communities, I was taken aback at the implication that BC’s history is only native? As you point out, what makes us so unique is the strong involvement of so many here, to build the province into where we are now : the Chinese and Japanese in particular, as well as many other cultures that make up who we are today. It in no way would have taken away from the importance of the first nations history in our province, to have also invited dancers from many cultures to participate in the ceremonies.
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The many dancers from so many different countries would have been a wonderful tribute to the immigrant that has built this country. We are ALL in our traditional territories.
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Even before the Opening Ceremony, I suggested it would be exactly as it came across. Whenever an event is performed in this Country, officials are always busy trying to include every ethnic origin that lives here.
We all knew that the Opening Ceremony in this case would have to include a major Aboriginal component. That was quite evident from the start when Vanoc & Government announced the several bands in & around the Olympic venues would play a major role. This no doubt was the government’s way of making sure that local bands would not protest, set up road blocks etc. etc.
It’s always the same and will always be in this Country. Can you imagine a politician standing up & suggesting an end to the differences that have cost this Country billions of dollars over the years. I don’t pretend to have the answer to putting an end to this argument between Aboriginals & the rest of the Country. I can only say that the sooner it ends the better off we will all be.
It was in my opinion a typical ceremony influenced by individuals who want to try & please everyone and thus securing their role in this stupid game. And finally, this stupidity about 3 billion people watching worldwide, well if you believe that, then I have an Island off the west coast to sell you. It used to be called The Queen Charlotte.
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See, that’s what gets me… Instead of telling the bands threatening to close roads that those offenders will go straight to jail, we allow them to push us around, so every time they blow a fuse or have a tantrum, they get to double the ransom…and Gordon pays it, WITH OUR WALLETS, every single time. It’s disgraceful.
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Hi Alex, I have no problem with bilingualism, however, as usual I wish common sense would prevail over politics, the announcements on the O. Ceremony language could have been alternated, however, the use of both languages, should be avoided in cases like Warnings on boxes, specially meds, etc. Where trying to cramp all info in both languages, makes it illegible in both languages, it can be not only dangerous, but useless as well, regardless of their birth language, I am sure most people will prefer a legible instruction, etc on the language prevailing where they reside, than having to carry a magnifying glass.
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I don’t have a problem with our linguistic duality either…as much as still exists. I just think we need to be realistic about how much it matters in B.C.
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Would this be the same Ashley McIssac that amongst other talents urinates on his adoring fans?
Cheers
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That would be the same idiot. What an embarrassment for this country that he would even be asked to perform at all.
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