Sask. artist behind Indigenous Riders logo creates new design to celebrate Grey Cup win

A Saskatchewan artist is celebrating the Saskatchewan Roughriders' Grey Cup victory with a new tribute logo.

The Riders defeated the Montreal Alouettes 25-17 in a dramatic finish Sunday night, securing Saskatchewan’s first Grey Cup title since 2013. 

To mark the victory, Chris Chipak, an artist and illustrator from Red Pheasant Cree Nation, south of North Battleford, created a design using elements from an earlier Indigenous logo he made for the Riders, which has become one of the team’s most popular designs.

The new artwork features the Grey Cup, of course, with silhouettes of the team's four other trophies in the shadows.

A single feather rises up from the trophy’s centre, illuminated by the glowing sun in the backdrop. 

Below it, a buffalo sits at the base, its mane transforming into roots that stretch out across the ground.

Chipak said the moment that inspired the design came as he watched the championship game on Sunday and noticed fans wearing his earlier work.

"It kind of hit me watching the Grey Cup, to see people in the crowd wearing the colours that I put as the logo,” he said. “The amazing part is, I get to have that every time I watch the game.”

Last season, Chipak created the Indigenous Riders logo featuring the buffalo, river, sun and the iconic "S" between two feathers, as part of the team’s Truth and Reconciliation initiative.

A full-colour version of the logo was released earlier this year, and has become popular with fans.

Chipak said the way Indigenous families embraced it stays with him.

"It’s kind of more so that’s their logo. There’s no ifs, ands or buts. If they’re getting it, they’re getting it for auntie, grandma, niece, nephew, brother, sister," he said.

"It’s such a nice rewarding feeling to