| Salt Lake City |
 |
 |
| GER |
12 |
16 |
7 |
35 |
 |
| USA |
10 |
13 |
11 |
34 |
|
| NOR |
11 |
7 |
6 |
24 |
|
| CAN |
6 |
3 |
8 |
17 |
|
| RUS |
6 |
6 |
4 |
16 |
|
| AUT |
2 |
4 |
10 |
16 |
|
| ITA |
4 |
4 |
4 |
12 |
|
| FRA |
4 |
5 |
2 |
11 |
|
| SUI |
3 |
2 |
6 |
11 |
|
| NED |
3 |
5 |
0 |
8 |
|
|
|
|
Indians end Games on high note
By Elizabeth White
Deseret News staff writer
American Indians closed the Winter Games in the same spirit of their opening: by paying homage to their heritage.
Some of those responsible for the planning and execution of the opening ceremonies segment highlighting American Indians held a reception and press conference Saturday to express their gratitude for the recognition and the exposure the performance gave the Colorado Plateau region's five tribes.
"I looked at (the opening ceremonies) as an opportunity for the Colorado Plateau tribes to really step forward and share the beauty of their culture and what they had to offer," said Forrest Cuch, executive director of the Utah Division of Indian Affairs and one of the performance's main organizers. "We knew that the international community wanted to know and see us . . . it was a masterful production, our shining moment."
In addition to official Olympic organizations, Cuch, who carried the sign for the Russian team during the ceremonies, also said he appreciated the coordination of Utah's tribal leaders in organizing the performance at the ceremonies.
"I want to thank Utah for showcasing Native Americans," said Rose Ann Abrahamson, a descendent of Sacagawea and director of the Olympic Medals Plaza. "(And) thank you to the dedicated tribes."
The Discover Navajo and Great Basin Tribes of the Colorado Plateau exhibits continued the theme and education throughout the Games, Cuch said.
"We've been everywhere; we've been involved in a lot of things," he said.
While appreciating the past, Suzy Chaffee, a 1968 Olympian, said she and the American Indian community also want to focus on the future.
The Native Voices Foundation, founded by Chaffee, and other American Indian leaders are working on programs that would expose American Indian youth to winter sports.
The program, said Ski Utah President Kip Pitou, would stipulate that each of Utah's 14 ski resorts offer 50 free lift tickets, rentals and lessons to children. A program, pioneered by the Native Voices Foundation, already exists with five Colorado ski resorts.
"It would be to try to make sure that these kids can be represented on these mountains," said Dave Martinez, a Ute Tribe member. "They would be able to see what's up there."
Today at noon, a gratitude ceremony will be held at the world's largest tepee at The Canyons ski resort.
E-mail: lwhite@desnews.com
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February 24, 2002
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