Six Nations Challenge Torch Relay

August 19, 2009 - Brantford Expositor

The people of Six Nations are questioning whether the Olympic torch is a symbol of sports excellence or native oppression as they ponder whether to support its passage across the territory.

At a public meeting held to hear different views on the traditional Olympic Torch relay, much of the sentiment expressed was decidedly anti-torch.

A small group of young people spoke out against the torch run because of the land issues being fought in British Columbia. The games are being held on lands that incorporate four First Nations territories.

Three members of the Four Host First Nations were welcomed to the meeting and spoke positively of their involvement in both the bid process and the games planning.

"Usually we get asked to come in at the last minute for feathers and dances, but this time the First Nations were invited to be part of the bid," said Tewanee Joseph, the CEO of the Four Host First Nations.

Because the bid was won by only two votes, the First Nations consider their involvement critical to the process.

Tewanee said working on the games has brought the natives together and even reinvigorated parts of their culture.

These Olympic games represent the first time that merchandise for souvenirs will represent aboriginal art and many of the B. C. natives are learning and practising songs and dances for performances.

"When the world comes to Vancouver in 2010 they'll leave with the different view of our people."

But Melissa Elliott, 19, said her eyes had been opened to another side of the Olympics by an unnamed woman who pleaded with natives to recognize the negative effect of the games.

Elliott read a letter from the woman who warned of clear-cutting, animal migration trails destroyed and land claims protesters being arrested.

"What are we willing to sacrifice for a one-day event in our territory?" asked Elliott.

Several Confederacy supporters chided those from the Four Host First Nations for dealing with the elected council rather than the traditional Confederacy at Six Nations.

The Winter Games will be held on unceded native territory and many natives object to more ski resorts and destruction of natural forests in order to accommodate them.

A Toronto woman who is part of the Olympic Resistance Network spoke about the 500 missing native women and children in Canada and noted that the Olympics always attracts the seediest elements who prey on women and young children, many of them natives.

"Traffickers will see the 2010 Olympics as their biggest opportunity in decades," said the woman.

Doreen Silversmith of Six Nations said her issue was the elected council had agreed to the torch passing through the territory without consulting the community.

Many of the 75 people at the public meeting expressed anti-torch sentiments and a representative of the Men's Fire council said that group's consensus was that the torch should not pass through Six Nations.

"If the torch comes here, I'll be on the road to protest," said another man to applause.

Current plans call for four people to participate on the Six Nations part of the torch run just before Christmas this year.

Two people are to be selected by the Six Nations: one of the spots will go to a person selected from three nominees and the other to 20 athletes representing Six Nations teams that have won provincial and other championships. Two other runners will be selected through sponsors RBC and Coke.

The issue couldn't be resolved Thursday night and elected councillors expect further meetings to discuss the issue.