The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 convened a protocol gathering on Jan. 23 at the Vancouver Art Gallery to honour four Indigenous artists who designed the new visual identity for the Games.
Artwork created by Levi Nelson of Lil’wat Nation, Mack Paul from Musqueam Nation, Squamish Nation’s Ray Natraoro and Olivia George of Tsleil-Waututh Nation represents the first time individuals from each of the four host First Nations have united to create a single piece of art for a major sporting event. The quartet were chosen by a selection committee of Indigenous leaders based on their diverse artistic mediums, including carving and weaving.
The final designs are rooted in cultural traditions of the Pacific Northwest’s Salish people, incorporating symbolic elements such as oval shapes, crescents, and trigons. They reflect the spiritual and cultural significance of Salish art symbols, and showcase varying perspectives brought forth by each artist.
“We are very proud of the work we did together, and believe this artwork is a strong representation and reflection of our Nations’ culture, lands and waters,” say Nelson, Paul, Natraoro and George in a joint statement. “We were able to share our ideas, experiences and cultural references, to come together for the first time to convey meaning from our Nations. We are honoured to show our work on the world stage through the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.”
“The collaboration to design the visual identity for the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler offers just one example of the important role that the four host First Nations will play in planning and co-hosting the Games,” adds Nick Booth, Invictus Games interim CEO, in a press release.
“Through the power of sport, the four host First Nations and the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 will work together to highlight the shared journey of recovery of Indigenous communities and military service members and veterans in overcoming adversity.”
Learn more about the upcoming Invictus Games here.
