The Toronto Argonauts and Montréal Alouettes took the field tonight with Indigenous-designed versions of their team marks on their helmets, part of the CFL’s “Diversity Is Strength” program.
Both helmets are the same shell colour, striping, and face mask as their usual team helmets, only the logos have changed.
Toronto’s mark was created by Emily Kewageshig of Saugeen First Nation No. 29. The design centres on four figures rising from water, representing Indigenous peoples of the past, present, and future. The use of four is a reference to the four directions of the medicine wheel. Each figure includes an opening at the heart, a nod to the Anishinaabe Kwe, Saugeen Ojibwe Nation, being known as the “good-hearted.” Along the Argos’ ship sit seven circles, representing the idea that all decisions should be made with the next seven generations in mind. A single feather signifies honour, strength, and bravery, while an orange gradient echoes sunrise and sunset.
Montréal’s helmet logo comes from Finnley Montour of the Kahnawà:ke, Kanien’kehá:ka. The Alouettes’ “M” logo is reframed as a dream catcher to represent Indigenous peoples across the province of Québec. The red wrap around the alouette mirrors the leather banding of a traditional dream catcher, and the inner webbing forms star-style shapes with twelve points for the 12 players on the field. Three feathers reference a Mohawk headdress, and the use of two languages in the accompanying elements speaks to collaboration on Tiohtià:ke (the land now called Montréal).
League-wide, tonight’s looks tie into the CFL’s “Diversity Is Strength” platform, which amplifies year-round programming across Black History Month, International Women’s Day, Asian Heritage Month, Pride, and Truth and Reconciliation. Last year, all nine CFL clubs introduced Indigenous-designed team logos by local artists to honour the game’s ties with Indigenous communities; a portion of merchandise proceeds helps support local Indigenous groups, organizations, or programming.
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CFL’s Montreal Alouettes to Unveil New Alternate Jersey This Summer 
CFL’s Toronto Argonauts Unveil Light Blue Helmets; New Uniforms May Also Be On the Way 
An Early Look at the New Montreal Alouettes Logos for 2019 
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