This artwork is an Indigenous interpretation of the original Canadian Sport Institute Alberta logo. At the centre, you see the circle with three lines extending outward—key visual elements carried over from the original logo. Instead of the cut-out maple leaf, I chose a feather, a sacred symbol shared across many Indigenous cultures.

Inside the circle is the Three Sisters mountain range in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains. Moving outward, the imagery shifts through the alpine forests, grasslands, and into the prairies—each representing the diverse and unique landscapes that make Alberta special. In the foreground, you see strawberries, or “heart berries.” In our culture, strawberries are sacred, symbolizing women and the heart’s strength.

These elements ground the design in Alberta, honouring both place and culture. My choice to create this artwork for the Canadian Sport Institute of Alberta is close to my heart as I spent much of my childhood growing up there, with my maternal side from Tsuu’tina Nation in Calgary.

The original text on the logo reads: “Canadian Sport Institute – Alberta.” I replaced this with words in Nehiyawewin (Cree):

● Miskinahko – Ministik: Turtle Island. Before colonial borders, many Indigenous Nations called “North America” Turtle Island. Our story tells of the muskrat who dove to the bottom of the ocean, bringing up earth and placing it on the turtle’s back to create the land. Even today, the shape of North America resembles a turtle.

● Mêtawêwin: Sport. Our language has no word for “Institute,” but we do have a word for sport, a practice rooted in community and well-being.

● Maskotêw – Askiy: The plains or prairies. There is no direct translation for “Alberta.” Borders are recent, colonial creations. By using this phrase, I honour the open prairie lands that define this region and connect to my Nehiyaw (Cree) identity.

This logo becomes more than a symbol – it carries the stories of our people forward while celebrating our land, culture, and language. It also serves as a reminder to encourage language and cultural revitalization for our future generations.