Football Canada showcases brand new Indigenous logo
By: Andrew Benson
RP Show Intern
Football Canada is changing the game once again.
Sept. 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. This year is the first time the day is being recognized as a federal statutory holiday, and the sports world is taking it very seriously.
Almost every sports team has changed their social media logos to orange, or made commitments to recognizing the survivors, and those that never made it home from residential schools.
Football Canada however, partnered with an Indigenous Artist to create an entirely new logo for the organization.
Artist Kolten Khasalus Grant produced the alternate brand and is taking time to reflect on his work on such an important day.
“I believe this is a good day for us to come together and overcome our grief and our trauma that we have been dealing with,” said Grant. “It’s good to come together as a family and build and rise up together”
The design builds on the traditional Football Canada logo, but adds new elements that are important for football.
“I started with the original football, and I was thinking of how kids could really succeed when they have the tools given to them and the proper teachings,” said Grant. “So, I thought wings was good for that, because when these kids are in the sport and they do succeed, they can really soar.”
On top of football, the logo is also a symbol for important pieces of Grant’s culture.
“When it came to either side of the maple leaf, it naturally came to me thinking about salmon,” said Grant. “And when it comes to our culture here on the west coast, the salmon is one of our most important resources. We look at the salmon as our children as well because it’s our future.”
Grant said the logo is meant to mean something to all generations of people.
“In the middle, I decided to do a child’s face. Our children are our next generation, and they are who is going to start playing football and who is going to be our next generation in the sport. By giving them the means to play, they can strive”
Starting on Oct. 15, merchandise will be available on Football Canada’s website, with net proceeds going towards the development and support of Indigenous football programs across Canada.
There have also been CFL teams showcase new logos designed by Indigenous artists including the BC Lions, which was designed by Grant’s aunt: Corrine Hunt
You asked… we've got 'em!
LIMITED number of the #EveryChildMatters orange shirts will go on sale AT KICKOFF → https://t.co/5svrqeadVE
100% of proceeds go to the Orange Shirt Society 🧡 #ThisIsOurPride @CFL pic.twitter.com/lb3WxfPkKu
— BC LIONS (@BCLions) September 25, 2021
Grant said he hopes this piece, and other art he designs continues to have a positive impact on others.
“There’s a lot of things we do in our art that isn’t for personal gain,” said Grant. “It’s just how we express ourselves. But when I see the positive effect it can have and lift people up, that’s what I really strive for. Is to inspire others and bring positivity to everybody as much as I can.”
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