By ROB GRANATSTEIN, SUN MEDIA

The brandspanking-new Team Canada hockey jersey is the latest reason why we need to give the Canada cliche a rest.

It's time we stopped portraying Canada with such a heavy emphasis on our Native roots.

Our home and Native land has been shaped by the aboriginals who were here on this land first, but they no longer define the country.

It's hard to argue the influence of the Native people on the West Coast, especially in Vancouver. A trip to Stanley Park drives it home.

But when we think of Vancouver and, by extension, look forward to the Winter Olympics, do you really think Inukshuk?

Vancouver is a thriving, diverse, cosmopolitan playground where you can ski and swim on the same day, explore the mountains, and eat like you're in China.

Yet the Olympic organizers chose an Inukshuk as the logo for the 2010 Games -- a northern symbol more than a west coast one. That's our face to the world.

What do you think of Team Canada's logo? Is it possible to be 'too Native'?

Have your say in our forum.

New Team Canada hockey jersey no good

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34 Comments

The native thing has gone too far. Being politically correct is one thing, being phoney is another.
Peter Ttait, 2009-08-22 13:27:14

It's fine, and I'm not even Native Canadian. Unless you look really closely at it and study it, you probably wouldn't give it a second thought. What's wrong with a Native symbol, anyways? Would you rather they stuck the Tim Horton's logo in there? It's much ado about nothing.
Rob Branje, 2009-08-22 12:56:53

Our home and native land "Western Canada for sure" has been shaped by Agriculture, forestry and oil and gas. If it wasn't for the industrious individuals that immigrated to this country in the early 1900's Canada would not be able to afford to host these Olympics. I doubt if they can anyways without the support of all the taxpayers of this country.
d roshuk, 2009-08-22 12:48:29

I like the logo. As far as the Inukshuk goes, it was a symbol of communication. A wonderful choice.
Win Longworth-Lochrie, 2009-08-22 12:36:14

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