Edmonton Riverhawks unveil Indigenous logo; proceeds going to local healing society

The Edmonton Riverhawks have debuted a new Indigenous logo ahead of their 2026 season, designed by local Métis artist Conrad Plews, with a portion of related merchandise sales going to an Edmonton-based Indigenous organization.

Plews, a Cree-descended Métis artist and owner of Black Market Tattoo — which operates three locations across Edmonton — drew on more than 20 years of design and tattoo experience to create the logo. Working from the team’s existing hawk head mark, he wove in elements inspired by Cree and Métis beadwork traditions, aiming for what he described as a flowing, dynamic quality reminiscent of moving water. He also embedded a hidden baseball in the design.

“Anything that allows me to express Indigenous identity in something local and has staying power is pretty exciting,” Plews said. “Being part of the city of Edmonton where I grew up, it’s pretty special to be able to leave my footprint on some of the city’s organizations.”

The Riverhawks play in Rossdale, situated on traditional Treaty 6 territory, and the organization framed the logo as part of an ongoing commitment to recognizing the land and the Indigenous communities connected to it.

Throughout the 2026 season, 20% of all sales from merchandise featuring the Indigenous logo will be donated to Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, an urban Indigenous nonprofit serving Edmonton and surrounding areas. Cheryl Whiskeyjack, the organization’s executive director, said the funds will support cultural programming and ceremonial work that conventional program funding often fails to cover.

“We provide employment support, mentoring in schools, and many different community programs, but we also do important work rooted in culture and ceremony,” Whiskeyjack said. “Oftentimes, programs are limited in their ability to fund those opportunities.”

Whiskeyjack added that seeing Indigenous art represented in a major sports context carries significance beyond the logo itself. “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. “It shows a respectful understanding of who we are, where we come from, and how we continue moving forward together.”

Indigenous hats, tees, and stickers are available now at shop.gohawks.ca and at the Hawk Shop during home games. The Riverhawks will wear limited-edition Indigenous jerseys for their Home Opener and Indigenous Celebration on May 29, with the jerseys auctioned online that day and proceeds also benefiting Bent Arrow.