Aboriginal Olympic costume draws fire

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Aboriginal-themed outfits a Russian skating duo plans to wear at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver offend some indigenous Canadians, representatives say.

After Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin competed at the European championships Thursday in Australian aboriginal dress performing a routine based on indigenous culture, they drew criticism for propagating stereotypes, Canwest News Service reported Sunday

The outfits include red loincloths with strands of green leaves hanging down.

After the European competition, Shabalin announced the duo would wear the same outfits at the Olympics.

Tewanee Joseph, chief executive officer of the Four Host First Nations, said he's sending the skaters a letter and "would like to meet and educate them on aboriginal culture."

"When they come here they will get a real sense of aboriginal culture. We're not just Indians with a headdress and feathers."

"Sometimes people make fun of us and it is painful," said Arthur Manuel, a former chief of the Neskonlith band. "That is something they should have been very cognizant of."

Experts say it may be too close to the Olympics for the Russian duo to change its routine and dress.