While it was refreshing to see female Canadian athletes take their place amongst the world's elite on "Women's Wednesday," there remains a notable absence on the podium - first nations athletes. For all the progress women have made in sports, the same cannot be said about members of our first nations.
But things are changing. An aboriginal conference on sports was held in conjunction with the opening of the Vancouver Olympics. Clara Hughes, the flag-bearer at the opening ceremonies, has acknowledged the absence of aboriginals in sports and has committed to working with first nations groups to overcome this. Unfortunately, none of the steps will work until Canadians begin to fund and respect indigenous first nations sports.
Lacrosse, canoeing and kayaking barely exist in secondary school curriculums. At the postsecondary level, these sports are given even shorter shrift. Aboriginals who beat the odds and make it to university are faced with further stigma by having their sports marginalized. Meantime, European sports such as Nordic skiing, curling, soccer, field hockey, volleyball, rowing, water polo and squash receive funding.