Meet the B.C. artist behind UNBC’s Indigenous athletics logo — a first for Canada

Trevor Angus and the University of Northern B.C. partner up to create the first-ever University or College sports logo solely designed by an Indigenous artist. Global BC’s Jay Janower introduces us to Trevor Angus – Oct 30, 2021

By now, you may have seen the University of Northern British Columbia‘s striking new alternate jersey for its Timberwolf athletic teams.

The green and gold uniforms feature a bold design that reimagines the university’s existing Timberwolf logo from an Indigenous perspective. It’s also the first time such a logo at any Canadian post-secondary athletic program has been completely designed by an Indigenous artist.

READ MORE: UNBC athletics program unveils new Indigenous logo jerseys

“When I actually saw it was when I found out it was the first Canadian university or college to do such a thing, I didn’t even know that until it was released,” artist Trevor Angus told Global News.

“When I saw the actual kids walking out onto the field wearing the jerseys, that’s when it actually hit me.”

Angus, who hails from Hazelton and is a member of the Gitxsan Nation, has been at his craft for more than four decades, first putting pencil to paper at the urging of a Grade 4 teacher.

Since then, his work has been featured in galleries across B.C. and Canada and has been sought out by collectors globally. He’s also a successful jewelry maker.

This project might just be his biggest yet — and was more than four years in the making.

Angus said after the university approached him, it took a year to conceptualize — followed by a holdup while the university switched jersey manufacturers, only to be delayed again by the arrival of COVID-19.