Plan seeks Olympics sport for arts and crafts

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A bid for significant display of Native arts and crafts at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary is being pursued by the Alberta Indian Arts and Crafts Society (AIACS).

The initiative was motivated by the keen interest AIACS members have been expressing over the past 18 months in the potential for marketing of arts and crafts the Olympics presents, according to Lois McLellan, AIACS general manager.

"They felt that individual producers would find it very difficult to capitalize on the event if they were required to stockpile inventories in the quantity required until 1988. Many producers from isolated communities voiced concern that their production levels were too small and they lacked the marketing expertise and dollars to even consider participating in the Olympics."

The AIACS board felt a co-operative effort would benefit more producers, and directed the development of a major proposal on behalf of the AIACS and its members.

A conceptual proposal was researched and submitted to the Olympic committee in June, 1985, and a revised version was prepared in December and submitted to the committee and potential funders in January, 1986 for further consideration.

AIACS is now seeking active support for "the inception of this long range and profitable venture" from those directly affected, including Alberta Native artisans, Band economic development initiatives, and other individuals and groups wishing to take on related Olympic ventures (i.e. dancers, storytellers, Native food experts, etc.)

McLellan says the proposal has already received a positive response from Indian Affairs officials, but further evidence of support is required. Those who are supportive of the idea are urged to contact he AIACS prior to April 1, when funding confirmation is expected.

The proposal provides for the funding of two projects, an exhibit and retail outlet at the 1988 Olympics, and utilization of the Olympic initiative for the inception of a permanent wholesale operation for Alberta produced Indian arts and crafts. The wholesale operation would initially supply the 1988 Olympics retail outlet, and then continue as a viable operation.

"The major objective of both projects is to develop the capacity of Alberta

Native producers so that they are able to supply the bulk of the retail merchandise market that already exists in Alberta," McLellan says. Alberta-based retail stores currently obtain most of their stock from out-of-province sources.

Once the operation is proven viable, the expansion into markets outside Alberta will be explored.

For the Olympics, the society plans to operate an exhibition as well as market fine Alberta produced Native crafts. The proposed exhibition would be centered around the theme of "Contemporary Native Crafts of Alberta," and would include live demonstrations by local Alberta artisans of traditional craftwork techniques.

The purpose of the exhibition would be to educate the public as to the variety and creativity of contemporary Alberta Native crafts and to provide a retail area for sale. World-wide exposure is anticipated due to the numbers of international visitors and the presence of the international media at the Olympics.

The ongoing wholesale operation is expected to foster the latent capacity of Native women to produce quality, saleable merchandise." A wholesaling infrastructure is planned to develop the warehousing and distribution components to service existing retailers who at present purchase mainly from outside the province.

AIACS believes Native communities in general, as well as individual Native producers, would benefit from the two projects in both the short and long terms.

More information can be obtained by contacting AIACS at 501, 10105 - 109 Street, Edmonton, AB T5H 1M8, or by phoning 426-2048.