Sean Vincent points to a computer monitor that shows flying eagles, salmon and a caribou herd that appear to be moving together in a brilliant blue circle.
The Winnipeg-based Metis graphic designer knows just how much weight the image in front of him carries—it’s the logo for the Pope’s upcoming trip to Canada.
no other Pope’s visit one is lying Logo Like the curved blue image designed by Vincent. Each line and curve has meaning to indigenous peoples across the country, materialized as a great circular tide together with peace doves and a set of keys to represent the Roman Catholic Church.
Vincent, 45, is a skilled designer who has partnered with indigenous communities and organizations over the years. But when he was first approached to create imagery for the historic papal visit, Vincent says he declined the offer.
“It scared me a little bit, considering what’s at stake.”
Vincent is from Saint Laurent, a small community northwest of Winnipeg on the shores of Lake Manitoba that was settled by the Metis families in the early 1800s. He sticks to his land and culture, which informs his designs.
They have worked closely with residential school survivors and veterans and designed layouts for the National Residential School Memorial Register, which collects the names of each child who died in the institutions.
Vincent, like many people around the country, is following closely the history of the Canadian and Catholic Church as well as the discovery of unmarked tombs at the sites of several former residential schools.
He watched as Pope Francis from Manitoba, earlier this year at the Vatican, apologized for the reprehensible conduct of church members involved in those institutions.
Vincent said he asked himself what role Francis should play when he personally apologizes in Canada. He consulted with knowledgeable survivors, survivors, and their families as they grapple with the decision.
He encouraged them to approach the people as an opportunity to contribute to the treatment.
“We are where we are now and we have to move forward together,” Vincent says after a long silence.
The Pope’s visit will begin in Edmonton on July 24 and end in Iqaluit on July 29. This is to include both public and private programs with an emphasis on indigenous participation. It is expected that Francis will make an apology at the Erminskin Indian Residential School in the community of the Maskawasis in Alberta.
At each stage of the journey, Vincent knows his design will be on full display. It is a responsibility that he reflected deeply when he put pencil to paper.
“If you’re coming here, if you’re coming to this land, it needs to represent this land and (these) people,” Vincent says.
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He says that he thought of family and friends. He thought about traditions and teachings. He thought of Grandfather’s drum that gives rhythm to the dance, a circle of flower-beaded circles and arms outstretched as he sang under the sun.
Vincent points out that in a circle all are equal. Everyone is visible.
Then, Vincent says, he looked to the plants and animals that have symbolism in many indigenous countries.
“The idea of going together, it happens in many different communities in many different ways,” he says.
“For me, I pictured more herds, more groups of animals and how they support each other.”
In the circular image he added eagles, which dance together in the sky and represent a connection with the Creator. He drew bison, which symbolizes the support and strength of the herd. He sketched caribou, which, along with arctic char and salmon, persevere on hard land to find what is needed for survival, which represent sustenance and the power of the great migration.
Vincent says he chose blue to bring out the calm nature of the water and air.
“(It) reinforces the idea that we should all take a breath and try to heal in every way possible.”
The final design was approved by a committee consisting of the elderly and survivors.
Vincent says the logo is ready to go out into the world, but he says it will develop new meanings for different people during the Pope’s visit.
She believes it will bring healing.
“I’m a little scared, but I’m hopeful,” he says.
“I hope everyone sees it for the good that I was trying to put in it and that’s all I can really hope for.”
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