Article courtesy Andrea Kay - 2010-vancfan

I am so pleased that I thought to investigate some of the First Nations designs featured on a lot of the Vancouver 2010 merchandise.  The designs that I was looking up are called “Surviving the Flood” and “Thunderbird”.  What I learned is that a local Coast Salish artist named Xwa-lack-tun (born Rick Harry) created these beautiful designs for the Four Host First Nations and Vancouver 2010.

Surviving the Flood large format pin (limited to 2,010 pieces) designed by Xwa-Lack-Tun

Here is the description on Vancouver 2010 of Surviving the Flood: “Legend has it that in ancient times, a great flood occurred that threatened the survival of the Squamish people. These people banded together in canoes and eagles dropped fish into their boats, giving the Squamish people sustenance and ensuring their survival. This story depicts the power of working together and the interdependence of man and nature.”  It’s a beautiful story and interestingly, the salmon at the bottom of the work has also been taken and used on its own, but flipped to be right side up.

Thunderbird large format pin (also limited to 2,010 pieces) designed by Xwa-luck-tun

Vancouver 2010 describes this design as: “The Thunderbird features images of an orca, a bear and the sky, which represents the Sea to Sky area where the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games will be hosted. The Sea to Sky story is cradled by canoe paddles in the upright position, representing respect, peace and harmony.”  Thunderbird is the most powerful supernatural creature in Northwest Coast Native mythology.  Thunderbird lives high in the mountains and fishes for killer whales (orca) when he is hungry.  He lifts them from the ocean in his talons and soars through the sky, looking similar to an  eagle with salmon.  The flapping of Thunderbird’s wings causes thunder and when he blinks lightning flashes from his eyes!

Xwa-lack-tun is an internationally recognized artist, who started at the Emily Carr College of Art and Capilano College.  He also believes that he learned a lot through trial-and-error.  His work is found throughout Vancouver and British Columbia (see below) as well as further afield in places such as New Hampshire where a 41.5 foot pole now resides at an art gallery.  Vancouver 2010 has an excellent story about Xwa-lack-tun that you can find here.

If you are interested in finding an item for a gift or for yourself with either Surviving the Flood or Thunderbird on it, check at the Vancouver 2010 store, or at the Olympic Store at the Bay Downtown (soon to be Olympic Superstore!).  Options include pins, coins, bags, shirts, scarves, luggage tags and many others!

Other news: the Women’s Hockey Canada Cup had a break today, but tomorrow the USA plays Finland at 3:00pm and Canada plays Sweden at 7:30pm.  And Sunday will be the day for the Bronze medal match at 3:00pm and the Gold Medal Game at 7:30pm (see you there right?!).  Get your tickets here.

I just heard today that the YVR Airporter, the fleet of shuttle buses that run between YVR airport and downtown Vancouver will be shutting down September 30th as most of the route is now duplicated by the Canada Line.  If you have been a regular user of the YVR Airporter you may want to start thinking about taking the Canada Line from the YVR Airport to your nearest Canada Line station, and then walking or catching a cab from there.  I have to say, the Canada Line works really well.  When I went to Calgary last week I took it both ways and found it a fast and simple way to get to the airport.  So hop on!  That reminds me, I need to get out to YVR again soon to check out some of their new art installations.  There is a lot of new stuff and it is gorgeous!!

by 2010vanfan

In Oslo 1952 Canada won 2 medals.  In Sapporo 1972 we won 1 medal.  In Calgary 1988 we won 5 medals followed by 7 in Albertville 1992, by 13 in Lillehammer 1994, 15 in Nagano 1998, 17 in Salt Lake City 2002, and 24 in Torino 2006.  While we were off to a slowish start, Canada has started focusing more on winning medals.  And with Vancouver hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games the challenge was on to really bring home the metal! (Err… medals).

And so, in 2005, the Own the Podium 2010 programme was launched.  The goal of Own the Podium is to win the most medals of any of the countries for the Olympic Games and to place in the top three nations (by gold medal count) for the Paralympic Games.  And we’re certainly on our way!  We had the fourth highest number of medals at Salt Lake City 2002 (7 Gold, 3 Silver, 7 bronze).  We had the third highest number of medals at Torino 2006 (7 Gold, 10 Silver, 7 Bronze; Germany had the most medals at 29, we were only 5 shy of that!).  Just imagine what 2010 will bring!

Own the Podium is a programme that brings world class leadership, training and equipment to our Winter athletes to give them the very best foundation to work from.  Some of what they will work with during the course of this programme is even considered “Top Secret”!  It is a widely supported programme with all of the National Sports Organizations (ex. Hockey Canada) involved, as well as Sports Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee, the Calgary Olympic Development Association, the Government of British Columbia, the Vancouver Organization Committee and several of their sponsors, as well as regular Canadians like you and I!

Own the Podium is the programme aimed at boosting our Canadian Winter athletes to be the best they can be, but that doesn’t mean our Summer athletes are left out.  They are covered by a similar programme called the Road to Excellence.  Are you interested in helping our athletes out?  Visit the websites for Own the Podium or the Canadian Olympic Foundation to donate and really help to make a difference in an athlete’s life.  These people are dedicated heart and soul to their sports and to winning.  The train and work long hours and often can only work part time due to their busy schedules.  Money can be slim but these programmes help to support our athletes in their quest for Gold!!

Team Canada at the Hockey Canada Cup - photo from Hockey Canada photographer Jeff Vinnick

Today’s news:  the women were hard at work at the Hockey Canada Cup again today!  Sweden defeated Finland 3-1 during the 3pm game, and I am sad to report that the USA defeated Canada 4-2 in the 7:30pm game.  So, the standings are Canada 2 – 1, USA 2 – 1, Finland 1 – 2, and Sweden 1 – 2.  There are semi-final games on Saturday and the match-ups will be: 3pm USA vs Finland and 7:30pm Canada vs Sweden.  Get your tickets here (cheap! $25 + taxes and fees per seat).  And of course, on Sunday are the medal matches!  The Bronze medal game at 3pm ($25 + taxes and fees per seat) and the Gold medal game at 7:30pm (still cheap! $35 + taxes and fees per seat).  Tickets for those matches here!  Get out there and support our Canadian women!!  (Oh, and stop by and see me at the Olympic Shop in the Bay Downtown to get a new Olympic Hockey jersey so you’re appropriately dressed for the game   I’ve already got mine and have got three of our ice sledge hockey players signatures on it too!  I’m hoping to add some of the women’s as well!

The Bay Downtown - come visit me!

Other news… Yes!  The Canadian Team Olympic and Paralympic uniforms will be revealed soon!  I wasn’t hallucinating (about that at least)!  The will be revealed on Thursday, October 1st I believe at the Bay Downtown where we will also be having the Grand Opening of the Olympic Superstore!  (Think 20,000 square feet of Olympic and Paralympic goodness!  I can’t wait!!).  I don’t know the details of the event yet, but will let you know as a schedule is released.  I have a feeling that the Mascots will be there, but I can’t promise that (it may be wishful thinking on my part, I want a photo with them!!).  So mark your calendars and find a way to be at the Grand Opening on October 1st.  It will be a great day.