Pin trading has become the ‘unofficial sport of the Canada Games’ over the years as athletes, staff, volunteers and everyone involved works to collect the rarest and most aesthetic pins up for grabs.

The 2025 Host Society has selected six designs from six Indigenous artists to be a part of the 2025 Canada Games pin collection.

As we mark National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, a day to honour and celebrate the cultures and contributions of Indigenous peoples across Canada, we invite you to meet the artists behind the pins and learn about the inspiration behind their work

‍Bailey Ball

My design was inspired by the natural beauty, cultural symbols, and living traditions of my home community, Miawpukek First Nation. I wanted to create something that reflected not just the land we live on—but who we are as a people. The sun’s rays represent life and warmth, the double curve motif symbolizes nature and growth, and the canoe honours our history and the knowledge keepers who continue to pass on that tradition today.

I felt drawn to this project because it gave me the opportunity to visually represent the pride I have in my Mi'kmaq identity and to share that with others in a lasting way. I’ve always found deep joy in creating art that carries meaning, and this was a chance to create something that celebrates community and culture on a broader stage.

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‍Tess Wigmore

I’m always drawn to bold lines and bright colours—they help me express connection and emotion in a way that feels natural to me. As an Indigenous artist, I try to create work that reflects culture, identity, and pride. Art has always been a way for me to stay grounded and connected, and I see it as a powerful way to share Indigenous presence and perspective.

I wanted to be involved in this project because it felt like a meaningful opportunity to represent Indigenous culture in a national event. Creating something that could be part of the Canada Games—something that brings people together and highlights strength and community—felt really important to me.

It’s an honour. To have my work featured at something as big as the Canada Games means a lot—not just as an artist, but as an Indigenous artist. It feels powerful to see Indigenous voices and artwork included in spaces like this, where people from across the country come together. It’s a way of showing that our cultures and perspectives are not only present, but worth celebrating. I’m proud to be a part of that.

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Megan Newman

The inspiration behind my design stems from a personal journey of cultural reconnection and identity. It draws from my history with Qalipu First Nation and my years of working in the community through roles in youth outreach, cultural programming, and community development. I’ve used my art to create a piece that incorporates meaningful symbolism reflective of both Indigenous identity and Canadian unity.

Symbols such as the medicine wheel, double curve design, maple leaf, and feathers each hold deep significance. Together, they represent strength, storytelling, healing, and the interwoven relationship between culture and country. I felt compelled to be involved because this is more than a design—it’s a chance to amplify Indigenous voices and honour our heritage during a national celebration, right here at home. Being part of the 2025 Games is a way for me to represent my community with pride and purpose.

Having my work featured as a key part of the 2025 Canada Games is both an honour and a deeply personal milestone. It means that my voice—and the voices of Indigenous people across the province—are seen, heard, and valued. This is a meaningful opportunity to showcase the richness of our culture, not only through art, but also through our presence.

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Kaitlyn Keefe

I was inspired by my hometown of Black Tickle, Labrador, as well as my parents. When a family member shared the First Light advertisement with me, the advertisement called for the piece to “draw inspiration from the communities they represent, with consideration of lived experiences, nature, culture, community and history.” I drafted some preliminary sketches—considering Labrador's history with polar bears, northern lights, cod fish, etc—but it was my mother who pushed me to consider drawing a bakeapple (i.e., cloudberry/appik). This bright orange, tart berry can withstand hurricane-force winds, dense fog, freezing rain, and sweltering heat; its short stature should not be underestimated, much like the people of my community. 

Since I was a child, my parents have taken the month of August off of work to devote their time to picking bakeapples. What had begun for my parents as a necessary means of making money when employment was scarce became a tradition, a family business per se, so it holds a very special place in my heart.

I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity. It means everything to me to have my artwork featured as a part of the 2025 Games in St. John’s. Given how much support my community/NunatuKavut has provided me over the years pertaining to my artistic abilities, I find it only fitting to commemorate my beautiful community through artwork. I was raised to respect the flower, the berry, the income, the lifestyle, and to be able to express that through artwork—and to have my artwork displayed to the public is truly an honour.

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Bronson Jacque

The structure of my design is drawn from childhood memories such as my grandfather teaching me to clean fish in Postville. He passed me the fish's heart as he passed on knowledge to me. Newfoundland and Labrador hold reverence for the water, the fishery, the wildlife, therefore I shaped the pin like a fish's heart. As you hold the pin in your hands, it'll be the same size as the fish heart I drew inspiration from. I wanted to create something that celebrates what we all share here on the East Coast, our connection to the fishery, our self-sustainability, and how we support each other. Each element was carefully decided on: from the flame of the Qulliq, the form of a child in their mother's Amauti, to the angles of the zig-zag line being a nod to the coordinates of Nunatsiavut's most northern community, Nain. (56.544170, -61.689861). 

Even the colours used in the pin are based on art from each of the five Nunatsiavut communities. Yellow of the beads from my sister, Erica from Postville used in her embroidery. Hopedale, the dark blue of fabric on Blackbottom Kamiks made by Vanessa Flowers. Green from the stone of carvings by John Terriak of Nain. Light blue from the grasswork by Ella Jacque of Rigolet. Burgundy from the fabric my Aunt, Blanche Winters from Makkovik used on her Project Atigi Parka for Canada Goose. My pin design, just as with all my other artworks, are made with the beauty of home and the creativity of the people of our communities close to heart.

With the meaning behind the design, the thought of the pin being worn over the hearts of those attending the Games is greatly rewarding. I feel as though the design will feel familiar to those who have similar experiences, and for those who don't, they may feel a stronger connection to the East Coast because of the meaning drawn into the pin. I create art to strengthen connections, and having my art used to celebrate our culture for the 2025 Canada Games is something I am grateful for. 

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‍Melissa Tremblett‍

As a member of the Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation with both settler and Innu heritage, my artistic practice stems from, and is a response to, my experiences in the contemporary Indigenous reality.

The pin I designed for the 2025 Canada Games is modeled after the Innu tea doll my grandma, the late Madeline Michelin, gave me as a child. Grandma was a master tea doll maker, her daughter, Rosalie (Lally) Davey, is a tea doll maker, and I am learning to make tea dolls.

The evolution and continuation of matrilineal cultural knowledge in tea doll making and other Indigenous art forms strengthens their presence in the contemporary dialogue and representation of Indigenous art. Being one of a few exhibiting visual artists with Innu heritage from the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, I am proud to share my artwork and culture through this national platform.

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A pin guide featuring designs from our official pin supplier, Laurie Artiss Ltd. – The Pin People, will be available on our website. It’s the perfect way to check out all the pins you can collect and trade.

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