Monday, July 8, 2024 – Winnipeg, Manitoba
Research Manitoba is proud to unveil our 10th anniversary logo, an emblem which underscores one of our core guiding principles, as outlined in our recent Strategic Plan: fostering reconciliation through Indigenous-led research.
Research Manitoba celebrates our 10th anniversary in 2024-2025. On June 12, 2014, the Research Manitoba Act was established to consolidate several major provincial research funding programs under one organization, with a mandate to promote, support, and coordinate research funding across all disciplines in Manitoba.
The logo was designed by Leticia Spence, a Two-Spirit graphic designer and illustrator from Pimicikmak. Leticia has a rich background in visual storytelling, drawing inspiration from traditional beadwork.
Their extensive experience includes working with True North Sports + Entertainment designing the WASAC Winnipeg Jets Logo, and collaborations with the Royal Mint and the National Music Centre. Their work respectfully integrates cultural symbolism with keen insights into the core values of an organization.
This logo embodies the path of a firekeeper, symbolizing our commitment to nurturing positive energy and healing within our community. A firekeeper’s role is to maintain the ceremonial fire, carrying the weight of the ceremony so that participants may heal. This powerful imagery aligns with Research Manitoba’s dedication to supporting Indigenous programming with resilience and strength.
The logo features smudge smoke billowing from an abalone shell, forming the shapes of an ancestor, a raven, and an eagle around an octopus bag—an essential firekeeper’s tool. The octopus bag is adorned with a wild rose, central to Métis and Cree beadwork, and a buffalo, representing respect and the historical sustenance it provided, as well as being a symbol of Manitoba.
The seven circles within the smoke honor the Ininew, Anishinaabe, Dakota, Dene, and Oji-Cree peoples, as well as the Métis and Inuit nations. Three additional circles, integrated into the octopus bag, signify these three nations. A feather fans the smudge smoke, providing strength, and a branch of cedar sits off to the side.
“We are proud to unveil our 10th anniversary logo, a deeply meaningful creation by Leticia Spence.
Leticia’s exceptional talent and deep understanding of cultural symbolism have brought our vision to life, perfectly capturing our commitment to Indigenous-led and Indigenous-informed research and reconciliation. Their work honours tradition and also exemplifies our forward movement into a new decade of Research Manitoba.”
As Research Manitoba steps into this new decade, we are committed to fostering meaningful partnerships and integrating Indigenous perspectives into our research initiatives, ensuring a future grounded in respect, resilience, and reconciliation.
For more information, please contact:
Hope Holmes
Communications Officer
Research Manitoba
info@researchmb.ca
About Leticia Spence
https://leticiaspence.ca/
Leticia Spence is a two-spirit graphic designer and illustrator from Pimicikmak. Graduating from Red River College in 2019, Spence has over six years of experience in freelance design, with notable projects including partnerships with WASAC, True North Sports + Entertainment, the Royal Mint, and the National Music Centre. Spence’s work is deeply influenced by beadwork, integrating this traditional craft into modern digital designs.
About Research Manitoba
Research Manitoba promotes, supports, and coordinates the funding of research excellence and innovation in health, natural and social sciences, engineering, and the humanities in Manitoba. Research Manitoba supports local talent development by providing research support to early career researchers and graduate students, along with fostering strategic partnerships to strengthen research and innovation in Manitoba.