Tahoe’s talk of Vancouver, Jan. 24 am edition

Publisher’s note: LTN is uncovering tidbits about the Winter Olympics while on assignment.

By Kathryn Reed

WHISTLER, British Columbia — It seems odd that the Inuksuit is the mascot of the Vancouver Winter Olympics when it’s the Indians who are protesting these Games.

Fairmont Chateau Whistler even makes Inuksuit out of delicious chocolate. Photos/Kathryn Reed

Talk on the street and slopes of Whistler is how the Indians who owned this land until the white Europeans came along are not happy the Olympics will be here in less than three weeks.

The Indian tribes claim they have never been compensated appropriately for their land that was taken from them.

The Inuksuit is a stone figure from the Arctic that the Inuit Indians created. It is said to be one of the oldest objects created by humans. It looks a bit like a person with outstretched arms. In some ways it’s even cairn like.

Even though the tribes of British Columbia have protested and plan to continue to, this is the first Olympics to partner with indigenous people to create an official licensed merchandise program.

A stone Inuksuit at the Fairmont Whistler.

“This will bring global attention to Aboriginal artists and businesses, and an investment in Canadian Aboriginal youth,” according to the official Vancouver Olympic website.

There is an Aboriginal cultural center-museum on Blackcomb Way in Whistler that is open daily.