Overview

The 2010 Winter Olympics, to be held in Vancouver-Whistler Canada from February 12-27, 2010, is today a very real threat to Native peoples, the urban poor (many of whom are also Native), and the environment. While cutting social services, healthcare, education, etc., the British Colombia Liberal government is at the same time providing billions of dollars to construction companies & other Olympic-related industries. The capitalists are making millions, while the poor are literally dying in the urban & reservation ghettos. Already, more land has been destroyed for the expansion or construction of highways, ski resorts, & Olympic venues.

The Olympic organizers operate with a budget of almost $2 billion, and other costs to government surpass $6 billion. Despite all the Olympic-related mega development, Vancouver is now home to North America’s fastest growing homelessness crisis. Indigenous people account for 30% of this homeless population, despite making up only 2% of the total population in the province. Much of the resistance to the Olympics is recognition for the real intentions of such games; to further the colonial process, and to produce massive profits for the private sector at the expense of the people and the land.

The Campaign

The campaign is currently in an outreach and community building stage as Indigenous and allied groups organize to disrupt the Olympics. A convergence is being planned during the Olympics and the Indigenous community asks that as many allies as possible be present during this action. Meanwhile, the Canadian state is organizing the largest security operation in the country’s history. Anti-terror threat assessment squads have stated that Indigenous groups and anti-capitalist activists in the No Olympics campaign to be the single greatest threat to security. 12 500 police, military and security personnel will be deployed in 2010 including Emergency Response Teams, riot cops, helicopters and armoured vehicles. Despite this, the scale of the Olympics is so great that the opportunity for disruption and creative resistance is considerable.

Background

BC is unique in Canada in that most of the province is unceded, non-surrendered Indigenous territories. The national government chose to introduce the Indian Act of 1876 as a means of extending government control over all Natives in Canada. Natives were dispossessed of their land, which came under the control of the government. At the same time, the Indian Act imposed the band council, reserve and status systems, and authorized the relocation of Native children & youth into Residential Schools.

Aotearoa Context

The 2010 Olympic games is a further example of colonial repression of indigenous peoples around the world. Through the guise of the Olympic spirit the manifestations of neo-liberal policies are rammed down peoples throats. However, alliances between Indigenous Peoples, Anarchists, environmentalists and other social justice movements continue to grow both here and abroad. From anti-colonial and anti-capitalist campaigns, to Indigenous solidarity work, the No Olympics campaign can provide useful lessons.

Links: http://no2010.com | http://2010watch.com | http://noii-van.resist.ca