Native artisans in British Columbia say their heritage is being ripped off as part of the 2010 Winter Games. The Cowichan Tribes placed a bid to produce the Cowichan sweater for Canada's Olympic team. The iconic design originated among First Nations in B.C. But The Bay, the official supplier of Olympic gear, gave the job to someone else. And now The Bay is charging $350 for a sweater that Native artisans sell for $215. "To have an authentic product available and to not go with it seems like a real slap in the face, especially when they've lauded these Games as involving the First Nations," Tim Strang of Hill's Native Art told The Victoria Times Colonist. Get the Story:
Olympic Cowichan sweater won't be knit by First Nation (The Victoria Times Colonist 10/8)
First Nation alleges Olympic rip-off (CBC 10/7) Related Stories:
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Team Canada jersey features Native design (08/18)
Series: First Nations and the 2010 Olympic games (04/06)