The Games Have Begun and There are Many Winners!

Mary Simon at the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, BC.

Last evening's opening ceremonies were easily one of the most spectacular events I have ever had the good fortune to witness.

It truly was an historic event - 60,000 people that included enthusiastic Canadians and athletes and dignitaries from around the world, all gathered under one roof watching the best of the best of Canadian Aboriginal cultural performers who dominated the evening. While I was watching the opening ceremonies I felt that a lot of connections were being made between Canadians and Aboriginal peoples on the one hand, and between First Nations, Inuit, and Metis on the other. It has done wonders for reconciliation between peoples in Canada, and I'm glad the world saw this. I was watching the news today and it was the largest television audience ever at over 3-billion viewers.

The level of Canadian Aboriginal art, culture, theatre, and language, that have been included in these games is historic. Let there be no doubt about it, the hard work and dedication that went into their inclusion from the organizers at VANOC is deeply appreciated by all Inuit and indeed, I would hope, all Aboriginal Canadians.

I was especially proud to know that for the very first time Inuit in the Canadian Arctic could watch and listen to the opening ceremonies in our language, thank you APTN! I am sure that Inuktitut commentators Abraham Tagalik with Karliin Aariak did a wonderful job of describing the event for our people last night.

What a feeling to know that it was the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada who welcomed the athletes of these winter games, as the nations walked in one by one. What a proud moment for us as "Les Inuits - The Inuit" were announced to the crowd inside BC Place and the viewing audience around the globe.

I was deeply moved by VANOC CEO John Furlong's speech. I had the pleasure of meeting John a year ago when participating in the announcement of the 2010 Aboriginal pavilion. I knew then that his passion for the olympics harnessed the human spirit above everything, and he proved it again last night in his speech. I want to include two quotes from that speech that I feel are so important for our Inuit children and youth, as well as young people the world over.

He said early in his speech, addressing the winter athletes, "You are role models for our children - heroes, giants, human champions, the best ever. You are living proof that men and women everywhere are capable of doing great good, and that in life as it is in sport, we should always give our best and never, ever give up." I really appreciated that he said 'never, ever give up.'

And towards the end, he added referring to the overall experience of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic games, "Through our example tonight and over the 16 days to come our children will begin to dream and believe in what is possible. Lives of great significance begin with a spark, a nudge, a gesture. Together let us touch as many as we can, while we can." I totally concur with that sentiment. You never know what spark will motivate a child or a young person, and there will be lives changed as a result of the human struggles played out during these games.

Today is going to be another full day here in Vancouver and I am looking forward to the Canada / Slovakia women’s hockey game this evening.

Go Canada Go!

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