Iranian Edition

“The artist shall at all times refrain from making any negative or derogatory remarks respecting VANOC, the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Olympic movement generally, Bell and/or other sponsors associated with VANOC.”

Native artist told to sign contract or leave

A First Nations artist who has criticized the aboriginal licensing program for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics has been told he must sign a contract permitting VANOC to approve all his communications.

Shain Jackson, the Vancouver artisan behind Spirit Works, has been told he will be removed from the Olympic Artisan Village, which will be visited by thousands of visitors, if he does not comply.

The contract demands he submit for approval any “publications, press releases, website copy or collateral material” that mentions the 2010 Winter Olympics, he said on Thursday.

Jackson has asked VANOC to stop using the label “authentic aboriginal products” on items made overseas and merchandised by non-Aboriginal companies.