We were approached to be part of a significant portage in Canadian history. The Canadian Canoe Museum was moving to a new home, one that elevates its collection, experience, and passion for preserving a piece of Canadian heritage.

Our journey began with a dive into history. We explored the origins of this story of the current logo with their team and envisioned its future path. We chose to embrace the historical significance and cultural familiarity of the pictograph located on the rock face of the Canadian Shield at Pictured Lake, within the traditional territory of Fort William First Nations.

The first step was to meticulously re-draw an exact representation of the pictograph, ensuring it would translate clearly and pay proper tribute to the original. We then aimed to enhance its visual strength by encapsulating it in a proprietary shape that represents the rock face where it is displayed today.

The top of this shape evokes the majestic cliffs of the Canadian Shield. The bottom creates a visual impression of waves crashing or snow accumulating throughout the changing seasons.

The second challenge was developing the logo to harmoniously balance a trilingual wordmark that pays respect to Indigenous, French, and English-speaking people across our great nation. The Canadian Canoe Museum received approval from the Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg knowledge holders to translate the Museum's name into Anishnaabemowin, the language of the territory, lands, and waters on which the Museum is situated. This translation, "Jiimaan Kinomaagewin," beautifully conveys the essence of the institution as a "Canoe Place of Learning for All."

Jiimaan Kinomaagewin
The Canadian Canoe Museum
Le musée canadien du canot

Through this thoughtful process, the newly evolved Canadian Canoe Museum logo came to life and is on display throughout the museum today.