Nationwide consultation informs a graphic image that represents First Nations, Inuit and Métis Cultures.
By Sarah B. Hood
In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action urged Canadians to make sport more inclusive of Indigenous peoples. Though the appeal was largely directed to government, sport bodies have been independently responding in their own creative ways.
“They’re not waiting for government; they’re using their resources to make change,” says Victoria-based graphic designer Jamin Zuroski. A member of the Namgis First Nation, he has been commissioned by several sport organizations to create imagery inspired by Indigenous culture.
Zuroski’s Indigenous design for Canada Soccer honoured his uncle, an award-winning soccer player and a residential school survivor. He created a logo called the Raven and Sun for I·SPARC, the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council. He not only designed the 2024 Ironman 70.3 Victoria medal but also received one when he finished the race.
Last November, Softball Canada unveiled a new Indigenous-themed logo designed by Zuroski with support from Métis artist Mallory Blondeau and Inuit artist Jessica Winters. It was conceived through a diligent three-year process of consultation led by Softball Canada’s DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Committee.
“One of our committee goals was relationship-building with our Indigenous softball groups. We saw the logo as a first step in building those relationships and creating a sense of belonging for our Indigenous membership,” says Kareena Zanolli, Softball Canada board member and DEI Committee co-chair.
“We recognized quite quickly that our logo has to represent all our nations,” she says. Therefore, Softball Canada called upon its provincial and territorial associations to identify people who could advise on the image and how specific elements like plants, animals, colours and sports equipment could be incorporated into it.
“In my opinion, it was quite in-depth,” Zuroski says. “Probably a good dozen of their teams provided feedback and direction.”
One of the people involved in the process was DEI Committee member Dakotah Pratt, director of Slo-Pitch for Softball Alberta, and a member of the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation in southern Manitoba.
symbolizes honour and connections for sacred
territories (Turtle Island), diverse backgrounds
(First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples),
Protocol Tools (Feather) and Softball Canada
community (Maple Leaf and stitching).
“I wanted to share my own life experiences, because I’ve had nothing but wonderful experiences playing softball; I got to travel throughout North America and make lifelong friends through softball,” she says. “As I got older, I realized my grandmother had played softball at residential school. Now that I’m a mother, my daughter plays softball and I see how important it is to have Indigenous representation within softball.”
Remembering the past and building towards the future are “the two sides of the coin,” says Zanolli. “It’s also recognizing how long a history softball has. When we launched the logo at our AGM, the timing was right after the passing of Murray Sinclair [the Canadian senator who chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission], and I reached out to Dakotah because I felt that there was an opportunity to make that connection with the role he played in Canada, only to find out that he was involved in softball with her.”
“That was my first experience at the Canadian Native Fastball Championships,” says Pratt. “He was just there as an assistant coach. He actually helped me book my flights to get to Cowichan for the 2018 North American Indigenous Games.”
Now that it has been formally launched, the logo will be used in many ways to uphold the connections between the sport and its Indigenous participants.
“We already have begun using it administratively,” says Zuroski. “At the AGM, we had it on the name placards. It will be used side-by-side with our traditional Softball Canada logo.” A third jersey for some national teams and a challenge coin with a logo on each side are also being considered.
Zuroski says such initiatives are meaningful, because “showing respect and using learnings from our ancestors are best practices as we navigate forward.”
Photos and illustrations: Softball Canada
Published March 2025
