Indigenous Designs on Invictus Games Medals
byThe Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler open tomorrow with a ceremony in Vancouver, welcoming hundreds of competitors from 23 nations, who will compete in eleven different sporting events, including six winter sports for the first time in Invictus Games history.
The medals draw upon the unique elements of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025’s signature visual identity, designed by four artists of the Four Host First Nations: Levi Nelson (Lil’ wat Nation), Mack Paul (Musqueam Nation), Ray Natraoro (Squamish Nation), and Olivia George (Tsleil-Waututh Nation).
Indigenous Designs on Invictus Games Medals
The medal design brings together several Coast Salish symbols, including a war paddle, half of the ancestral eye (the eye of the Creator), the triangle and wave of the mountain and valley often seen on traditional blankets, coming together to represent earth, air, sky and water. The outer edge of the medal design emulates braided cedar rope, representing unity, continuity and strength. Elements from the visual identity, have also been woven into a jacquard pattern on the medal ribbon, in the signature yellow brand colour.
Each medal comes with a one-of-a-kind hand-knit or crocheted wool carrying bag, made by fibre artists from all of the Four Host First Nation communities. Each is unique, the design being born from the artist’s Nation and interpretation of the Invictus Games’ signature black and yellow colour palette. In the Musqueam tradition, quarter bags are pinned to individuals who assist with special occasions and ceremonial events, to hold coins and smalls gifts to say thank you and recognize their contribution.
Medal Presentation Boxes
The medals will be carried out in and presented from Salish Bentwood Boxes, handmade by students from TTC & Spirit Works LTD in partnership with the Squamish Nation Nexw7áýstway Training & Trades Centre in North Vancouver. Each box is 100% made locally by First Nations Peoples, using traditional materials and methods passed down by Acknowledged Indigenous cultural keepers. Unique in their construction, each box’s body is made from a single piece of West Coast cedar. Four pieces of inlaid Abalone shell adorn the outer edge of the lid, representing the Four Host First Nations. Each box has taken over 30 hours to create, providing the students with valuable joinery skills while also immersing them in traditional cultural practices.
Medal Presentation Ceremonies
Medals will be presented by honoured guests, including dignitaries from the 23 Nations, the Invictus Games Foundation, and partner representatives. Volunteers from the Canadian Armed Forces and Four Host Nations will also support the Medal Ceremonies. Medals are presented at each sport event on a flat podium to the playing of the Invictus Games Medal Ceremony anthem. Medalists typically wear their colourful team uniform, and many choose to also carry or display their Nation’s flag for this emotional celebratory occasion.
About the Lead Artist
Levi Nelson is from the Lil’wat Nation and is attending Columbia University in New York to pursue his Master of Fine Arts degree in visual arts. For his Mid-Career Artist Scholarship, Levi plans to create a large-scale oil painting connecting his identity as a Lil’wat Nation artist with contemporary aesthetic.
Four Host First Nations
In the Vancouver Invictus Village you can experience the Four Host First Nations through Indigenous culture, meeting community members, and enjoying traditional performances. In the Whistler Invictus Village, you can visit exhibitions showcasing the traditions of the Lil’wat Nation and the Squamish Nation at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.
Watch the opening and closing ceremonies live online here, and get tickets to the sporting events here. Admission at the Whistler sites is free!
About the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler
The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 celebrates the unconquered human spirit of military service members and Veterans who are wounded, injured, or sick. From February 8-16, 2025, over 500 of these heroes will travel from up to 25 different nations to Vancouver and Whistler for the first-ever Winter hybrid Games. These service members will compete in 11 different sports to support their journey of recovery with their family and friends cheering them on from the sidelines.
The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 will be held on the traditional territories of the Lil̓wat7úl (Líl̓wat), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. True Patriot Love Foundation, the Government of Canada, and the Province of British Columbia are the valued Founding Partners of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.
Follow the Games on Instagram for the latest information.
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