Edmonton Riverhawks Unveil Indigenous Logo!
2026-05-19
Proceeds to support Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society
The Edmonton Riverhawks are proud to unveil our new Indigenous logo ahead of the 2026 season!
As an organization that lives, works, and plays on traditional Treaty 6 territory in the heart of Rossdale, the Riverhawks are grateful to continue recognizing and honouring the land and the Indigenous communities and culture connected to it.
The logo is designed by local artist Conrad Plews, a Métis artist of Cree background. He has been designing art and tattoos for more than 20 years and is the proud owner of Black Market Tattoo, which operates three locations across Edmonton.
“Anything that allows me to express Indigenous identity in something local and has staying power is pretty exciting,” said Plews. “Being part of the city of Edmonton where I grew up, it’s pretty special to be able to leave my footprint or stamp on some of the city’s organizations.”
Taking inspiration from the original Riverhawks “hawk head” logo, Plews incorporated elements reflective of Indigenous art and culture while maintaining the team’s identity.
“I definitely wanted to use the existing colours of the Riverhawks,” said Plews. “ I wanted to incorporate elements that reminded me of Cree and Métis beadwork, because a lot of the Indigenous artwork I do includes those styles, [...] kind of a flowing, dynamic feel to it, almost like moving water,” he said. “And I also have hidden a baseball in there too, so it’s pretty clear the team [the logo] represents without just adding a ball and a bat.”
Indigenous hats, tees, and stickers will be available ahead of the Riverhawks Home Opener at shop.gohawks.ca, as well as in-store at the Hawk Shop during all Riverhawks home games, while supplies last.
Throughout the entirety of the 2026 season, 20% of all merchandise sales featuring the Indigenous logo will be donated to Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society.
Executive Director Cheryl Whiskeyjack said the organization’s mission is centered around helping Indigenous community members thrive while staying connected to culture.
“Bent Arrow is an urban Indigenous organization that serves Edmonton and area,” said Whiskeyjack. “Our mission is to serve urban Indigenous folks so they can walk proudly in both worlds. We serve people in ways that help them thrive in the city around us while also remaining immersed in culture.”
Proceeds of the Indigenous merchandise will support cultural programming and ceremonial opportunities that are often difficult to fund through traditional program funding streams.
“The funds gathered from this initiative will support what I often call the ‘other work’ that we do,” she said. “We provide employment support, mentoring in schools, and many different community programs, but we also do important work rooted in culture and ceremony. Oftentimes, programs are limited in their ability to fund those opportunities.”
Whiskeyjack explains why it is so important to see Indigenous art and identity represented in a major sports setting.
“One thing I’ve often said about Edmonton is that you couldn’t always tell you were in Cree country or Indigenous territory,” she said. “[A logo] shows that the community understands the land they’re on and the opportunities that it creates for people to be part of community, [...] we share this land together, and we’ve always been part of each other’s lives,” she said. “It shows a respectful understanding of who we are, where we come from, and how we continue moving forward together.”
The Edmonton Riverhawks will proudly wear limited-edition Indigenous jerseys featuring the new logo for their Home Opener and Indigenous Celebration on Friday, May 29th.
The jerseys will be auctioned online that day, with proceeds also supporting Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society.
To learn more about Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, or to support their programs and services through a donation, please visit https://bentarrow.ca/
To explore more of Conrad’s work and view his portfolio, visit Black Market Tattoo.
