Building community spirit through the celebration of Cree knowledge, skills, and identity.

A smiling child in a blue winter coat, hat, and mittens runs on snow, with other children and a crowd in the background near a large building on a sunny winter day.

A hand-drawn, pencil sketch of the letter

The iinuu metawewinh Cree Winter Games brought together students from across Eeyou Istchee to celebrate Cree culture through sports, traditional games, and culturally rich activities. We loved building a visual identity for the inaugural annual event that resonated with the community’s values and can be carried forward to subsequent year's games that follow.

A woman wearing a white beanie with logos, a fur-lined hooded jacket, and beaded earrings stands outside in a snowy landscape, smiling gently.

The selected design features a winding path leading to a teepee representing each individual’s journey that culminates in a communal meeting point. The design brings together the convergence of different communities, emphasizing unity and shared purpose and reflects the collaborative spirit of these games.

A close-up view of numerous bronze-colored game tokens with embossed logos, trees, and text reading

Two silicone wristbands, one blue and one yellow, rest on a bed of snow. Both bands have white printed mountain graphics, symbols, and some text on them. The scene suggests a cool, outdoor environment.

A sign in a snowy park displays a poster with colorful shapes and text inviting people to celebrate the strength of Iiiyiyuiyihtiw in March 2025; several people walk and trees are visible in the background.

The Cree Winter games featured a wide range of activities including competitions and cultural showcases designed to highlight iiyiyiu/iinuu ayimuwin (language) and iiyiyiu/iinuu iyihtiwin (traditions and practices). The events brought together delegations of youth and adults accompanied by Elders and knowledge keepers to guide and share wisdom. We created design materials, including posters, wayfinding banners, participant bracelets, and more, to cohesively brand the event.

Our informational participant brochure included a clear, easy-to-read map of the venue and event locations. The layout incorporated brand patterns and colors and custom illustrated icons that echo the logo’s form to build a unified identity that can be built upon for years to come.