Maple Leafs introduce logo for Indigenous celebration game

The Toronto Maple Leafs will have a different look on Saturday.

An Indigenous-inspired logo will be used during the game against the Vancouver Canucks, the team announced on Wednesday.

As part of the club’s Indigenous Celebration Night, the Leafs will employ a redesigned logo conceived in partnership with Anishinaabe-kwe artist Jennifer Taback throughout in-stadium signage and gameday graphics.

“It’s an exciting opportunity to reimagine such a well-known logo and share my interpretation with both my community and the Maple Leafs’ community,” Tabak, who is a co-CEO of design firm Design de Plume, said in a statement.

“As an Anishinaabe-kwe from Shawanaga First Nation, I’m passionate about showcasing our cultural and visual storytelling through design and art. Our artistic style emphasizes line work and the iconography of meaningful symbols, and it was fascinating to blend both traditional and Western elements.”

The reimagined logo features multiple elements inspired by Tabak’s experience, community and stories as an Indigenous person.

A slightly altered shade of blue represents Georgian Bay, while a beaded Maple Leaf with o’demiin (strawberries) in the background represents love and a strong heart.

The centre of the logo features a turtle for Turtle Island, while notes of cedar, sweetgrass and two medicines are meant to showcase Tabak’s parents’ message to follow her own path.

Besides the redesigned logo, Indigenous Celebration Night will also include a first-intermission performance by an Indigenous hoop dancer, a welcome message from Chief Claire Sault (Chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation) and Indigenous-inspired food options, among other activations.

The Leafs also said certain proceeds from the game would go toward charities such as ENAGB, which supports Indigenous youth.

The Toronto Raptors held their Indigenous heritage night on Jan. 6.