The tournament may still be more than a year away, but the inaugural National Indigenous Junior Hockey Championships now have a logo.
Hockey Indigenous — the Canadian non-profit organization putting on the tournament — revealed the logo on their social media channels on Wednesday, April 10. The first-ever NIJHC will take place in Toronto from June 2 to 6, 2025.
The logo was designed by Jeff Nepinak of Pine Creek First Nation in Manitoba. It features a roundel with the tournament name with crossed hockey sticks behind it; the spaces in between the sticks and the inside of the roundel are filled in with the traditional colors of the medicine wheel. Three turtles appear on the outside of the roundel, while three eagle feathers hang from bottom.
The NIJHC will feature Indigenous players from ages 18 to 20 in both male and female divisions. It will also include a Cultural Festival and a symposium.
(The tournament) serves as a platform for Indigenous athletes of all levels of experience to showcase their skills, forge new friendships, and embrace the rich cultural heritage of the game. With an emphasis on inclusivity and community, this tournament embodies the spirit of unity, providing a unique opportunity for young Indigenous hockey athletes to shine on a national stage while celebrating their heritage.
— Hockey Indigenous
Hockey Indigenous is an Indigenous-led and governed non-profit organization that aims to “create a welcoming and inclusive hockey community where Indigenous peoples and communities have the opportunity to reach their full potential as athletes and leaders.” They also host the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships and the Chief Thunderstick National Championship.