The Winnipeg-based Metis graphic designer Shaun Vincent designed the logo, showing soaring eagles, salmon, and a caribou herd that appear to be moving together in a brilliant blue circle.
Newsroom (30/06/2022 5:25 PM Gaudium Press) No other papal visit has had a logo like the swirling blue image that Vincent designed. Each line and curve hold meaning for Indigenous Peoples across the country, materializing as a great circular tide moving in tandem with peace doves and a set of keys to represent the Roman Catholic Church.
Vincent, 45, is an accomplished designer who has partnered with Indigenous communities and organizations for years. But when he was first approached to create imagery for the historic papal visit, Vincent says he declined the offer.
“This one scared me a little bit, considering what is at stake.”
Vincent is from St. Laurent, a small community northwest of Winnipeg on the shores of Lake Manitoba, where Metis families settled in the early 1800s. He remains connected to his land and culture, which informs his designs.
Vincent explains that in a circle, all are equal. All are visible. Vincent says he looked to plants and animals that have symbolism across many Indigenous nations.
“The idea of walking together, it happens in a lot of different communities in a lot of different ways,” he says.
“For me, I pictured more herds, more groups of animals and how they support each other.”
To the circular image, he added eagles, which dance together in the sky and represent a connection to the Creator. He drew bison, which symbolize the support and strength of a herd. He sketched caribou, which persevere on harsh lands to find what they need to survive, along with Arctic char and salmon, representing sustenance and the strength of great migrations.
Vincent says he chose the colour blue to bring the calming nature of water and air.
“(It) reinforces this idea that we all should be taking a breath and try to heal in all possible ways.”
The final design was approved by a committee that included elders and survivors.
Vincent says the logo is ready to go out into the world, but he says it will develop new meanings to different people during the Pope’s visit.
He has faith it will bring healing.
“I’m scared a little bit, but I’m hopeful,” he notes.
“I hope everyone sees it for the good that I was trying to put into it and that’s all I can really hope for.”
The Papal visit team contacted Vincent in early 2022. After some lengthy discernment and talking with elders and family members, he decided to participate in creating the visuals for the historic visit of Pope Francis to Canada.
Since its unveiling, initial reactions to the design have been glowing. “We are very pleased with the work of Shaun Vincent and his team’’, said Jasmin Lemieux-Lefebvre, head of digital communications for the Papal visit team. “We are making the logo widely available in several downloadable versions on our website. We are grateful that Shaun could bring his creative vision to life and incorporate so many important elements into the logo. This important visual is a powerful symbol of our ongoing healing and reconciliation journey.”
More information on the logo can be found on the www.papalvisit.ca/walking-together-logo page.
(Via Global News and Catholic Register)
Compiled by Raju Hasmukh
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