Hockey

The genesis of Team Canada's Olympic hockey jersey began with the acquaintance of some Nike designers and celebrated First Nations artist, Debra Sparrow.

Sparrow, who lives in Musqueam outside of Vancouver, embraced the opportunity to represent the ideals of artistry and athleticism in an item worn during one of the most anticipated competitions at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. 

"Artists as well as athletes share that spirit of focusing and being the best you can be when you're either creating or running - or you're training," Sparrow said in an interview with CTVOlympics.ca.

"Throughout history in all cultures we strive to be the best we can be and whether we're creating a design or running a marathon, the parallel is there."

Hockey Canada unveiled the new sweater Monday at the UBC Thunderbird Arena in Vancouver following months of negotiation with the International Olympic Committee which has recently become more vigilant about not allowing national sports federations to display their logo at the Games. 

The logo had been used for the past 14 years, including at prior Olympics, but the IOC began cracking down at the Beijing 2008 Summer Games restricting the Argentine and Brazilian soccer teams' uniforms.

The jersey, Hockey Canada's fifth attempt at conforming to the IOC's rule, replaces the hockey player on the front with a maple leaf embedded with traditional Musqueam art forms. The Canadian Olympic Committee logo, VANOC's inukshuk symbol and the five Olympic rings are also included on the shirt.

"The center is an eagle and a thunderbird. The eagle is significant to all people: First Nations, non-First Nations.

"The eagle is an amazing spirit that represents not only freedom, but the strength to sore as high as you can go," she said.

A thunderbird is also included within the new logo and is considered the Keeper of the Skies, she said.

"He's responsible for the weather. In our myths he brings the thunder and the lightening."

Sparrow's intention was also to show those watching the Games that Canadian athletes are connected to a strong heritage.

"I honour all of those competitors who are coming here so that they know that there is a foundation here that is strong; that we stand on it," she said.

"I am a past athlete, my family members are athletes. We focus on the spirit of who we are and sometimes it shows up in the art, sometimes it shows in the competition."

Sparrow is best known for her weaving, though she began her artistic career as a jewellery designer.

"It's exciting to create the jersey for Musqueam, Vancouver, B.C. and then Canada because [hockey] is our national sport. That's what's exciting: to have the foundation and history of sport of Canada right from the ground, through the maple leaf, onto the jersey - that we all celebrate Canada.

"It's not just about what I did. It's about the relationship with Nike and how they chose to come to Musqueam and they chose to create this relationship and honour Vancouver and Musqueam and themselves and Hockey Canada by that."