The Story Behind Our Logo
This was my first year joining the committee; I knew I wanted to bring in my talents somehow to benefit the conference. When I was asked to create a new design for the IPC logo, I was hesitant but also excited to try it out. I knew this meant I had to say yes, as it would offer a challenge artistically and creatively on my part. What I didn't realize were the technological and cultural pieces that would be carefully weighed into the creative process. I wanted to create something that spoke to the work of truth and reconciliation but didn’t take away from the Indigenous perspective of it all. It was tricky to figure out what imagery to incorporate into the logo as numerous symbols, items, and colors are unique to each group of Indigenous people.
- Mya Baptiste, Committee Artist (2023)
The First Attempt: Moccasin + Sprout
The Baby Moccasin
To say a universal image exists would do First Nations, Metis, and Inuit groups a huge disservice. However, I thought more about key events in the past and the ones recently that have spurred and bolstered the movements of Truth and Reconciliation. I immediately thought of residential schools and the children we have tragically lost and found from unmarked and uncovered gravesites across the country. I thought of the ones today who are making moves of healing, reconciling, and positive change–whether they know it or not. Children truly are sacred and I feel that is undeniable no matter where you go in Canada. This conference is run by Bachelor of Education students catering to an audience of educators, children are highly prioritized and valued here.
The Sprout
From the get-go, I knew I wanted to create something that included growth through the image of a plant or greenery of some kind. Life-long learning is so integral to education. Being open to recognizing our lack of knowledge will make space to gain new understandings. This is significant to the work of Truth and Reconciliation. You must be constantly growing. Truth and reconciliation is a long journey and we may never see the fruit of our efforts but we can plant the seeds and see the sprouts.
The Official Logos for IPC
The Rooted Feather Logo
The original IPC logo was a multi-colored feather that was well-loved, however, we wanted to give the logo a new and fresher look. I chose to keep the feather but instead change the coloring to the colors found in the medicine wheel. Although the medicine wheel is not shared by all Indigenous cultures, it contains valuable teachings and guidance held and respected by most. Again, I wanted to continue with the idea of growth and development somehow. I decided to do that through imagery tailored to the land. The roots of the feather are branching out and taking root in the knowledge and experiences taught by Indigenous perspectives,
The Sprouts, the Roots, and the Seeds Logo
Following a similar process, I created a secondary logo that would be suitable for our advertising and merchandising. This one has a special place in my heart as it is uniquely designed without the influences of past logos. I feel as though this one has a grounded appeal. The sprouts are nourished by the emerging roots and its roots are nourished from the seeds that contain the Indigenous ways of knowing and being, as symbolized by its coloring: the medicine wheel.
Ultimately, our committee decided that the first logo design would be too challenging for us to make and transfer as a versatile graphic. It was hard to pivot and look to a different design but I am not disappointed with the ones we have selected here.