The FNHIC-BC Unveils New Logo

HIC has unveiled a new logo that will guide its work in creating a First Nations-controlled Housing & Infrastructure Authority in British Columbia. The logo design places First Nations at the heart of the home, embarking on a new future of control and empowerment surrounded by the attributes that define a home.

Adapted from the creative concept of Indigenous artist Aerial Sunday-Cardinal, the design embraces the shape, colour and teachings of the traditional Indigenous Medicine Wheel, reflecting the interconnectivity of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual elements to one’s wellbeing and to the land, as well as the fundamentals at the heart of HIC’s mandate.

HIC is committed to a collaborative, community-driven engagement process and reached out to First Nation communities to solicit logo designs that symbolize the future First Nations’ controlled Housing and Infrastructure Authority – comfort, home, family, warmth, community, leadership, pride, new beginnings and taking ownership. It also needed to display a cultural feel while having a clean, modern look.

HIC Council Members chose the artistic design of Aerial Sunday-Cardinal, from the Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake First Nation #128 in northeastern Alberta, currently studying at the University of British Columbia. Guided by HIC’s criteria, Aerial took inspiration in the Medicine Wheel to create a culturally-significant design.

“The rim of the logo was painted with the four colors of the medicine wheel. The medicine wheel represents teachings, the four parts of the self (body, mind, spirit, emotions), the four elements, the four seasons, the four directions and balance. I thought it was necessary to use the medicine wheel for a “cultural feel” that was relatable and well known. Housing is necessary to practice your teachings, for health and balance, and for protection. Colors for the scenery represent good weather, warmth and happiness. The housing is intended to look modern and use modern colors that are pleasing and complimentary. Humans were painted with a “skincolor” tone, and darker hair that is similar to First Nation Peoples traits. The baby’s wrap is brown for a “cultural feel” (think hide),” she explains. 

The creative concept embraced the elements Council Members were seeking, but it needed to be simplified for use across mediums as well as modernized to reflect the different demographics of people who will be served under the new housing and infrastructure authority. HIC turned to graphic designer Ren Reed to digitize and modernize Aerial’s vision, while retaining the intention behind the creation.