First Nations' Authentic Products From Haiti?From China?

I think that articles like this one... non-pretentious, easy to read & to respond to are great, so good on you Ms. McPherson. I like many, am pretty ignorant when it comes to most of the issues that face our First Nations people. And I am happy to hear that their communities are at least receiving some royalties from these Games. It is unusual for me (as a very stubborn Italian) to have a lack of opinion on an issue that so greatly affects our local well-being... but in the case of the Olympics, I have chosen to take a step back from the arguments. My only reason for this (at this point in time) is because they are inevitable, and sport (and lifelong dreams/goals) is a very important part of our culture. How they are "played out", however, can certainly have concerning implications as you all know. Anywho, my point? The 2010 Olympics are very near. I think that it's very important to share with the world some of the amazing & positive aspects of our Vancouver culture (although we know there are certainly some negatives). But I think that it would simply be neat to have a global impact by way of the things we love about Vancouver, including our the amazing West Coast art, traditions, and creations that we would find around our local cities regardless of the month or year, that were indeed made locally. I have recently put together this Facebook page: "2010 Olympics - Vancouver Directory (Local Favourites)" which you can find at:facebook.com/VancouverDirectory where people can post & support their favourite local artists, musicians, businesses & more to support them during the Olympic Games (and hopefully beyond). I have recently begun a directory specifically for "authentic" (please excuse me if I've misused the term) West Coast First Nations art & businesses. Unfortunately the list remains very short (I've put a couple of the people that I know & would like to support ~ but the point is that the general public have the majority of the input). I suppose my main intention is to see what's available to the tourist consumer that is nonVANOC.  I hope that more people will use this as a means to provide advertising for their favourite people (including themselves ~ please self-promote) during the Games. Here's the link to see what I'm talking about: www.facebook.com/VancouverDirectory?v=photos#/album.php?aid=134397&id=201622063049To participate you have to become a fan of the page & post links, photos, contact info, why you think the person (artist,business,etc) your supporting is great onto the wall of the main page to the info directly into the directory. Consider all of your favourite locals & post them too! Thanks for reading. ~LocallyVan2010~twitter.com/LocallyVan2010facebook.com/VancouverDirectoryvancouver2010directory@gmail.com