Apparently the Canadian territory Nunavut has an H1N1 vaccine surplus. There is a surplus of about 5,000 doses. (Full Story)
Heather: A surplus of 5,000?! Does Nunavut even have 5,000 people?! [To those not aware of the Canadian territory, they do in fact have a population larger than 5,000 (I think it's closer to 30,000) but it's in Northern Canada and has a lot of inhabitable places.]
Eagan: I guess it's better than them having "none-of-it" OH!
Interesting article on how Aboriginal Canadians (First Nations people) feel about the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. This is the first time that aboriginals have been official partners in the Olympics and have been involved in every aspect of the Games starting from the bidding process. The peoples involved include the Lil'wat, Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations (they have joined forces and call their group the Four Host First Nations). Many of the sporting events will take place on ancestral land.
For some First Nations people, they feel this Olympic partnership is a unique opportunity to show their culture to the world. First Nations people have suffered a long history of poverty, unemployment, drug and alcohol addiction, and high rates of suicide -- and some see the Olympics as a great time time to rebrand themselves in a positive way. The head of the Four Host First Nations group explained, "What people will learn is that we're business people, we're entrepreneurs, we're visual artists, and we're performing artists. You know our culture is really living and thriving today and it's been through challenges... We no longer want to be seen as just Dime Store Indians, just beads and feathers. I think for us those stereotypes are very important for us to break." Many see this as an opportunity to educate the world about their culture. A new Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Center was built in Whistler with provincial and federal government funding, and the history of the tribes will be taught to visitors. In central Vancouver there will be $3.5 million Aboriginal Pavilion which is a multi-media center that will display aboriginal art, business, culture, and sport to visitors. Every Olympic venue will have aboriginal art in it, as well as an aboriginal figure that will welcome visitors. A First Nations artist designed the Olympic medals. Moreover, Olympic organizers have given $54 million (Canadian) worth of contracts to more than 100 aboriginal businesses. A Chief from the Squamish Nation says that the recent recognition of native culture is important after years of suppression by the Canadian establishment. He said, "In the history of this country there was legislation created by the governments wherein we couldn't practice our culture, our traditions. They thought it was not right."
However, there are some First Nations people that are hesitant about the Olympics. Some feel that the Olympics are a waste of money and resources that could be better spent on serious issues that First Nations people face -- like homelessness and addiction (especially in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside). Some aboriginals in British Columbia don't like the Olympics being held in Vancouver because they feel the land was stolen, and that the construction of the Olympic facilities has desecrated or disrespected their lands. Many First Nations people say the real test will be whether their culture will continue to be included and celebrated once the Olympics are over. (Full Story)
I think it's good to give more attention and provide more of a platform to First Nations culture and history. However, I agree with the sentiment that hopefully this lasts beyond the Olympics. I also hope the Olympic committee's intent on including First Nations people is sincere. That they genuinely want to be inclusive of First Nations people and have the world be exposed to their culture -- and not that they have other motives. I hope this isn't an effort to give the Games an "exotic" theme. Like "oh wouldn't this be so quaint to have native imagery and celebration, and it will all be so exciting." I also hope this inclusion isn't just a means to use native land for Olympic development. Regardless of the intentions, I do like that there is more positive exposure to First Nations history and culture.
President Obama has lifted a 22-year immigration ban that wouldn't allow individuals with HIV/AIDS to immigrate to the US. The US was one of just 12 countries that had such a ban. Obama said the ban was not compatible with US plans to be a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The US is also planning on hosting the global HIV/AIDS summit for the first time in 2012. (Full Story)
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