B.C. race pulls 'First Nations-inspired' medal after appropriation backlash

Organizers of a Vancouver race won't be handing out First Nations"inspired" medals itcommissioned for a run this month, following a social media backlash because the medals weren't designed by an Indigenousartist.

The Vancouver RunningFestival (VRF) posted a photo of the design on Facebook last week, in anticipation of the James Cunningham Seawall Race in Stanley Park.

The caption said the badge depicting a bear holding a salmon in its mouth was "inspired by the work and aesthetic of native artists of Canada and the U.S., but was not created by a First Nations member."

Allison Beardsworth, originally from the Dene First Nation in the Northwest Territories, has been a part of Vancouver's running community for about four years. She's registered for the seawall race.

"I saw [the design]and sort of said, 'OK, then that's problematic,'" Beardsworthsaid.

"First Nations art created hereisworld-renowned,identifiable, beautifuland it tells stories. So when a medal is designed and it's a bear holding a fish and there'sno real reason behind it, it doesn't make a lot of sense," she added.

Beardworth said appropriating Indigenous artdoesn'tleave enough space for authentic artists to be showcased.

Social media users were also quick to condemn the medals.

"This is absolutely appalling. You literally just said you appropriated First Nations' artwork," onecommenterwrote onFacebook.

"There's no shortage of [First Nations] artists you could have commissioned to design your medal and finding one isn't difficult ... shame on you," said another.

Festival apologizes

On Monday, a festival spokesperson apologized for the medals and saidtheywon't be handed out on race day.

"We truly regret that the medal design has created controversy and distress for some," organizers said in astatement.

"The medal design ... was intended to pay homage to the rich cultural heritage of the First Nationsthrough its interpretation of two Indigenous animals of the Pacific Northwest."

The spokesperson said the organization will work with the First Nations art community to contract an artist to design a new medal for this year's race.

They also said they will make a donation to a "soon-to-be-named First Nations organization."

Opportunity for education

Beardsworthsaid it's unfortunatethe appropriation happened at all, but hopes it can be used as an opportunity for education.

She cited theAuthentic Indigenous Art Initiative, a group working to ensure Indigenous art is validated and well-represented in the marketplace.

Beardsworth said the group teachespeople aboutappropriation andwhy it shouldn't happen. Shesaid she encouragedofficials with the running festival to read the initiative's website.

"I think that living in Vancouver, where we just had the walk for reconciliation and we live in a city where the mayor has recognized we live on unceded Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Watuth territory, things like this should happen less or not at all," Beardsworth said.

"Chief Ian Campbell said once, 'We will not be invisible in in our land' and it's true."