McMaster University has unveiled an Indigenous version of its Marauder logo in collaboration with Cayuga Woodland artist Kyle Joedicke.

The mark was developed with input from the Indigenous Student-Athlete Council (ISAC), Indigenous Student Services (ISS) and the Equity and Inclusion Office. It blends Indigenous patterns and symbolism with the university’s longstanding athletics identity, and will debut Sept. 26 during McMaster’s Truth and Reconciliation soccer doubleheader where the women’s and men’s teams will wear custom jerseys designed by Joedicke featuring his woodland art style.

Joedicke, who grew up between Caledonia and Six Nations of the Grand River, is a self-taught Cayuga Woodland artist whose work reflects Haudenosaunee stories and cultural teachings. His practice is influenced by West Coast Haida art, Norval Morrisseau and graffiti culture. A recipient of a Hamilton Arts Award, he has created large-scale murals across Ontario and collaborated with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Forge FC and the University of Waterloo. He also serves as an artist ambassador for the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Foundation.

“This logo isn’t just a reflection of me, but it’s a reflection of my people’s entire history and their resilience to remain a prominent piece of Canada’s fabric,” Joedicke said. “It opens up the door for a grander feeling of inclusion and commitment to ongoing reconciliation.” He said the project was a personal milestone but more importantly a way to give Indigenous students and community members a sense of ownership on campus.

“It’s hard, in this society, as an Indigenous person living in an urban environment, to really see yourself reflected in the world that you’re living in,” he said. “If this logo works in even a small way to change that mindset, to let someone feel more welcome, then that’s all that I want to come out of it.”

From Anishinaabe/Métis student-athlete and ISAC co-president Seth Cabezas, a pitcher on the McMaster baseball team, the impact of the design is personal.

“The biggest thing about this for me is that I see a piece of me in that logo, and I hope that is the feeling that other Indigenous youth get when they see this as well,” Cabezas said.

ISAC represents Indigenous varsity athletes and student leaders at McMaster. The council organizes events such as the Truth and Reconciliation game and works to ensure Indigenous voices are supported and celebrated in athletics. Its collaboration on the logo is part of broader efforts to create visibility and belonging for Indigenous students on campus.

That work builds on the supports provided by Indigenous Student Services, a central hub that offers transition advising, academic and financial resources, cultural programming and wellness supports. ISS plays a key role in helping Indigenous students succeed while fostering a strong sense of community.

“When they see the Marauders logo with Indigenous elements added, it shows them their value and the respect the university community has for them as Indigenous athletes and Indigenous students,” said Chrissy Doolittle, Director of Indigenous Student Services at McMaster. “Our students are often looked to as the one Indigenous voice in the room. We want them to feel safe, seen and recognized across the university.”

In creating the logo, Joedicke said he balanced McMaster’s athletic traditions with embedding Indigenous perspectives into a space that historically has not always been open to them. The focal point of the design is the eagle, which he approached through the lens of the Seven Grandfather Teachings. In that teaching, the eagle represents love – not just for oneself or one’s family, but an unconditional love that extends to community and creation. The eagle is also a symbol of connection to the Creator. Within the figure, Joedicke incorporated Woodland-style “spirit lines” to convey the flow of spirit and the bonds linking people with ancestors and knowledge passed through generations.

“The image of the eagle being the most prominent piece of the McMaster logo, in my opinion, means a sense of independence but also a sense of communal strength,” he said. “The eagle in a lot of Indigenous cultures has to do with a direct relation to Creator and our creation story, so that’s immensely significant.”

Athletics and Recreation director Keenan Jeppesen said the initiative is about welcome, connection and belonging.

“The Marauder identity has always been a source of pride, but this project opens it up in a way that makes it more welcoming and inclusive,” Jeppesen said. “By embedding Indigenous culture and symbolism into a mark that means so much to our community, we’re building bridges and creating a deeper sense of belonging. This logo reflects who we are today and the kind of community we aspire to be.”

Jeppesen added the department recognizes the logo is only one small step in a series of plans to enhance the experience of McMaster’s Indigenous community.

“We know there’s so much work to be done in truth and reconciliation, and so this is not the end for us,” he said. “We’ll continue to listen and learn and try to build and contribute to that as much as possible. Through this logo, we can immediately build that bridge into the community, invite people in, and really further the university role in truth and reconciliation.”

Athletics & Recreation views this initiative as a step toward building stronger relationships with Indigenous communities and creating a more inclusive environment for all. As the indigenized logo becomes part of McMaster’s visual identity, the department hopes it will inspire meaningful conversations about reconciliation and the importance of representation.