Meet the BC artist behind UNBC’s Indigenous Athletics logo – the first for Canada

Now you may have seen the University of Northern British Columbia’s striking new alternative jersey for its Timberwolf athletics team.

The green and golden uniforms have a bold design that recreates the university’s existing Timberwolf logo from a native perspective. It is also the first time that such a logo on a Canadian post-secondary athletic program has been completely designed by a native artist.

“When I actually saw it, when I found out it was the first Canadian university or college to do something like that, I did not even know it until it was released,” artist Trevor Angus told Global News.

“When I saw the actual kids go out on the field wearing the jerseys, that was when it actually hit me.”

Angus, who hails from Hazelton and is a member of Gitxsan Nation, has been in his craft for more than four decades, first putting pencil on paper at the request of a Class 4 teacher.

Since then, his work has been shown in galleries across BC and Canada and has been sought after by collectors globally. He is also a successful jeweler.

This project is perhaps just his biggest yet – and was more than four years in the making.

Angus said after the university approached him that it took a year to conceptualize – followed by a hold-up while the university switched jersey manufacturers, only to be delayed again by the arrival of COVID-19.

But the result was worth it – the culmination of a goal he himself had for years back as a UNBC student.

“We joked about it, because when I went to school there, I watched the basketball games live, and I said to one of my friends at the time, ‘I wish I could make it my own,’ so when it was time to do it, it was really great, “he said.

Angus said he was honored at the chance to design the new jerseys, which he said come with both a personal connection and a connection to the north.

Along with his wolf design, they also have syllables that translate to “En Cha Huna,” UNBC’s motto from Dakelh (Carrier) Elders, which is interpreted as “respect for all forms of life.”

“I thought it was a really good way to respect the territory that the university is located in … it’s the University of Northern BC, and that’s where I come from, and I was also a student there, so it fit so well. ,” he said.

“I think it symbolizes the relationship between Aboriginal Peoples and the university, which is definitely a really big relationship. I also had to mention that my father and his clan, to which he belongs, are the wolf clan at home… Wolves are a herd animals, they work as a team to do what needs to be done and I always thought it was a really good fit. “

Along with fostering the connection between the university and indigenous peoples of BC, Angus hopes his art can also help promote the conversation of reconciliation in Canada.

It is a conversation that must be built on mutual recognition of humanity – and art can, according to Angus, be one of many focal points.

“My art really makes people look at what I do and they start learning about where I come from and my story, and that’s part of my sharing – and sharing will always be important, whether it is the good things or the bad things. We need to pay attention to what people went through, ”he said.

“It’s already bringing people together. The amount of media attention this has brought, I’ve had so many non – Aboriginal people come in and say that this has really opened their eyes to start looking at different ways to really admire and respect the native culture on. “

While Angus has not found any lack of success in his career as an artist, the overwhelming reception of the UNBC design may yet open a whole new chapter to his work.

He said he has already had discussions with two smaller hockey teams, including his hometown of Hazelton Wolverines, about making designs.

As a hockey fan, he says he would be thrilled at the chance to see his work on the biggest screen in BC sport.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about Canuck’s logos and masks,” laughed Angus.

“I’ve got a lot of people brought up and I should also wear (Canucks goalkeeper) Thatcher Demko’s helmet.”