In life and in art: How an Indigenous artist used 2026 Olympic curling uniforms to share her heritage

When one thinks of curling, we often think of ice, brooms and a cold one after the bonspiel.

But for 2-Spirit Anishinaabe/Cree artist and activist Shelby Gagnon, a collaboration with Goldline Curling and Curling Canada for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics was an opportunity to present a different side of one of Canada’s most beloved sports.

It gave Gagnon the chance to tell stories of her deep connection to land and water through her art, the importance of land and water protection, and share Indigenous history.

Goldline Curling is the leading supplier and manufacturer of equipment for players ranging from local to professional levels. They are to curling what Bauer is to hockey.

Ahead of the uniform and merchandise launch, Goldline Curling president Erin Flowers felt “nerve wracked,” because this series of uniforms was special.

Indigenous artist brings meaningful imagery to new Curling Canada uniforms

As the conduit of the collaboration for the True North series of curling merchandise with Gagnon, the pair connected in September 2024 when Flowers saw her work in a local magazine and then a mural while in Thunder Bay, Ont. They developed a friendship and had mutual friends in the curling community. It fell together organically. Then Flowers had an idea for using Indigenous art on the kits.

Flowers and Gagnon had worked on this project with Regina-based designer Steph Schmid. Flowers ensured that Gagnon felt liberated in her process and had the capacity to create art not only for the Olympic curling team, but different designs with a Maple Leaf as the feature point.

The design of the Maple Leaf has lines tracing the shape to represent water and in a subtle and beautiful way, are calming and meaningful. 

For a team