Creating Winnipeg 150 symbol ‘a huge honour’

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This article was published 15/01/2024 (640 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

City officials unveiled a new graphic Monday in celebration of Winnipeg’s 150th anniversary, after tapping a local Indigenous artist to design an image representing the past, present and future of Manitoba’s capital city.

“Creating a graphic for the city that I grew up in was a huge honour,” Jordan Stranger, the owner and artist behind Totem Doodem art company, said.

“I hope this graphic can be a symbol for growth and reflection on what Winnipeg has to offer and what we wish to accomplish.”

Stranger and Mayor Scott Gillingham revealed the image at city hall alongside an audience of city councillors, staff members and Winnipeg 150 committee members.

“We were excited to work with Jordan Stranger on a Winnipeg 150 graphic to use throughout the year that represented our city, while acknowledging the importance of our community’s Indigenous roots,” Gillingham said, before turning the podium over to Stranger, who explained the intricate design.

Encircled by an overlay of the City of Winnipeg’s boundaries, the graphic is rich with symbolism.

Winnipeg’s varying seasons are represented by images of snow flakes, blowing winds and the sun.

Traditional Indigenous medicines, including sage and tobacco, are featured alongside an image of the prairie crocus.

Seven trees represent the seven sacred Indigenous teachings of love, truth, humility, wisdom, respect, courage and honesty.

A pair of winding waterways, representing the Red and Assiniboine rivers, intertwine to form the profile of a woman — a nod to the important role the rivers play in the city, Stranger said.

A trail of orange footsteps mark Winnipeg’s path toward Indigenous reconciliation, while the North Star guides the way, he said.

The graphic is the culmination of several months of work, Stranger said, adding he hopes it serves as an inspiration, encouraging residents to reflect on the city’s history and rejoice in the potential of its future.

The Winnipeg 150 graphic will appear in prominent locations throughout the city, Gillingham said.

A plan to hoist the image on banners outside city hall was foiled by foul weather Monday morning, but city staff will raise the banners in the coming days as the weather warms, Gillingham said.

The city is also working with The Forks Trading Company to make Winnipeg 150 merchandise available for purchase in their storefront and online in the near future.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca