Olympic problems cited with Navajos

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2002

The Winter 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City will kick off tonight, with representatives from a number of tribes sharing the stage for 10 minutes during the opening ceremony.

But those 10 minutes apparently came with a lot of heartache, according to those involved. Although some would not identify what specific problems, it all boiled down to one word: Navajos.

"Sometimes the respect level between them (Navajos) and the others has dropped very low," organizer Forrest Cuch, the head of the Utah Division of Indian Affairs, told The Arizona Republic.

"We were also concerned that the Navajos were demanding more and more control over the Native American part of the festivities," Edna Frost, a spokesperson for the Southern Ute Tribe of Colorado, said. The tribe eventually dropped out of the ceremony and is not attending the Olympics for security concerns.

The opening ceremony will feature a performance by Cherokee singing group Walela and Robbie Robertson, of Mohawk heritage. The event is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.

Get the Story:
Indians to get Olympic role, albeit limited (The Arizona Republic 2/8)
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Tribes to Get Their '15 Minutes' (The New York Times 2/8)
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Inland hoop dancer on Olympics stage (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 2/7)

Relevant Links:
Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics - http://www.saltlake2002.com