Ojibway artist from Red Lake Ont., collaborates with NHL's Chicago Blackhawks on Land Acknowledgement

An Ojibway artist from Red Lake Ont., now has his artwork on display in the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks home arena as part of the teams' new Land Acknowledgement.

Patrick Hunter designed digital artwork for the project, which made its debut before the Blackhawks game against the Detroit Red Wings in the 2020-2021 home opener, an opportunity he calls an honour.

"As a national sports team they didn't have to take this great step towards reconciliation," said Hunter in an interview with CBC Radio.

Hunter's digital artwork surrounds the arena during the Land Acknowledgementandincludes floral designsand colourful feathers.

He said as he was creating the design, he wanted to make something that a lot of people could "digest and understand" as being a part of the history of the surrounding regions of Chicago.

According to the team, the Land Acknowledgement is part of the Blackhawks' ongoing efforts to collaborate with Native American people to elevate, support and engage in "Native-led education, art partnerships, and community development," and to "honour and celebrate Black Hawk's legacy."

"These designs have been thoughtfully and carefully placed alongside the Land Acknowledgement video with the artist's assistance in an effort to create a more profound experience that we hope will lead the public to begin or continue their understanding and learning of each of the Native Nations represented and beyond," reads a release from Nina Sanders, partner and advisor to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Hunter admits at first he was apprehensive about the opportunity due to ongoing appropriation of Indigenous culture specifically in the sports world, but added that he quickly grew to trust the intention of the team and their integrity.

"So, I wasn't sure if I was the one that needed to be in that sort of arena," explained Hunter.

"I understand that there's a lot of Indigenous people that don't like Land Acknowledgements. And, you know, all we get is this lousy Land Acknowledgement sort of rhetoric but here was an opportunity for a national sports team to take the next step, would actually be a, you know, a template, or like a leader to other teams."

Hunter said seeing the reveal of his design on TV was a "big moment" for himand adds it's been an exciting experience for his loved ones back home as well.

"They're very proud of me up north and back home in Red Lakeand you know that's part of the job making people happy through artwork. It just so happens I got todo it on such a huge beloved stage," he said.

However, this wasn't the first time Hunter's art has made it to a big stage. In December of 2020, Hunter's art was featured on Purolator seasonal shipping boxes, and also he recently created artwork for a TSN documentary called Unwanted Visitor, the story of NHL coach Ted Nolan.