Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver – The First Nations Summit today congratulated Canadian Aboriginal artist Corrine Hunt for her traditional, one- of-a-kind design of the Vancouver 2010 Medals. The medals, revealed earlier today, each feature a unique hand-cropped section of larger abstract Aboriginal artworks – a first in Olympics Games’ history. Hunt, of Komoyue and Tlingit heritage, created the medals based on two large master artworks, one of a whale (Olympic) and the other of a raven (Paralympic).
“We are very proud of this unique West-Coast design by a First Nation artist and we are especially pleased for First Nations across this country,” said Grand Chief Ed John, member of the First Nations Summit Political Executive. “This symbolic, traditional artwork represents a triumphant moment for all Aboriginal people across Canada and will serve as a lasting, iconic legacy of the 2010 Winter Games.”
Each medal will include its own traditional, signature Aboriginal influence that embodies the orca and raven artwork, including elements such as the orca’s eye, the curve of the orca’s dorsal fin, and the contours of the raven’s wing.