The Ottawa Redblacks have unveiled an Indigenous logo in honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The logo was designed by Indigenous artist Mike Ivall of the Chippewas of Georgina Island. He is well-known to CFL fans as @ArgoFluffy on social media, where he has shared Indigenized versions of logos he’s created for teams around the league. The Redblacks are the first team to adopt his work as their official Indigenized logo.
The medicine wheel is represented inside the logo, featuring the iconic colours of white, yellow, red, and black.
“It represents direction, unity, elements of the culture, and all of the races,” Ivall told the team’s website. “It’s everything that we hold value for.”
Meanwhile, the lines along the lower right side of the logo symbolize the creator.
“For me, he is everything. The creator is me, and it’s you. We’re all connected through that. He surrounds everything. It’s a big part of me right now,” said Ivall. “No matter what colour you or I am, we’re still connected.”
The Redblacks are the latest CFL team to unveil an Indigenous logo, joining the B.C. Lions, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Edmonton Elks, and Calgary Stampeders.
Ottawa is selling hats with the logo with all proceeds going to the Wabano Centre, a health and cultural centre that provides medical clinics, social services, and youth programs for Ottawa’s Indigenous community.
The Redblacks (4-10) will host the Montreal Alouettes (7-7) on Saturday, Sept. 30 with kickoff slated for 4:00 p.m. EDT.
