Toronto Raptors game tonight will feature Indigenous logo by Kitchener artist Luke Swinson
CBC News | Posted: January 6, 2025 4:12 PM | Last Updated: January 6
'At the heart of it is Indigenous joy and its many forms,' Luke Swinson says of design
An Indigenous logo created by a Kitchener, Ont.-based artist will be featured during tonight's Toronto Raptors game.
Luke Swinson, a visual artist with Anishinaabe roots and a member of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, created the logo and called it "a big one."
"There's a lot to say about this design, but at the heart of it is Indigenous joy and its many forms," Swinson said in a post on Instagram.
"Basketball is integral to so many Indigenous communities across Turtle Island and I really felt the drive to design something Indigenous Raptors fans would be proud of."
In a media release from the NBA team, Swinson said being able to represent what's important to him and his community "through such an iconic and recognizable logo is incredible."
A representative for the Raptors and Swinson declined interview requests.
"Growing up, seeing this kind of representation would have filled me with such pride and inspiration, and I hope to share that feeling with Indigenous youth of today," Swinson said in the release.
The logo is in the shape of a basketball and shows two Indigenous people playing the sport.
Below the two people, there is a river flowing over hills as the sun sets and an eagle flies above. As part of the logo, there are also four sacred medicines — tobacco, sage, cedar and sweetgrass — that represent different traditions and ceremonies.
The logo will be featured in several ways during the team's annual Indigenous heritage game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
A special half-time performance will feature Madison Noon, an Indigenous member of the North Side Crew.