2024-25 MVP awards to be designed in celebration of Indigenous culture
Burlington, Ont. – Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is pleased to announce that the 2024-25 league sport most valuable player awards will be designed in celebration of Indigenous culture by artist Jessica (Robinson) Mamakeesick.
Mamakeesick, who owns and operates an art store in Goods & Co. Market (Thunder Bay) called Mamakeesick Roots, is an Oji-Cree woman with roots in Sandylake and KeeWayWin, Ontario. Always creative, she woke up one morning feeling inspired after a dream of creating native art. Since that life-altering dream in 2021, and on the heels of a 15-year career in healthcare, Mamakeesick is now creating art full-time.
And she is looking forward to lending her talent and creativity to the OUA.
“I’m excited to be a part of celebrating the recipients of these awards,” explained Mamakeesick. “It’s an honour to be able to create designs that represent the many First Nations within Ontario.”
Mamakeesick will be creating her designs on sport-specific equipment, with each league MVP being awarded a ball or stick from their respective sport. The field hockey stick, specifically, has been graciously donated by The Indian Maharadja, partner of Field Hockey Ontario.
When it comes to the look of the designs, the Thunder Bay, Ont. artist will be featuring important meaning therein, as she often “likes to incorporate animals that represent different values and traits that can be relatable to the recipient”.
This won’t be the first time Mamakeesick has worked within the sport, or more specifically, the OUA landscape, as she also provided the artwork for the Lakehead Thunderwolves hockey jerseys as part of their 2nd Annual Indigenous Cultural Celebration Night.
Explained Mamakeesick, “Within Ontario, there are many Indigenous groups who have a history of participating in all sports. This is a great way to create awareness and honour the culture.”
Gord Grace, OUA President & CEO, echoed the sentiment and the meaning behind the new project.
“This is a very exciting initiative for the OUA. We cannot wait to present these awards throughout the 2024-25 season, not only in celebration of the accomplishments of these award-winning student-athletes, but in celebration of Indigenous culture as well.”
With several fall sports moving closer to the postseason and upcoming championships, the first of these award recipients will soon be announced across the OUA channels.
MVPs in rugby, field hockey, soccer, and football being named over the coming weeks, while the top performers for basketball, hockey, and volleyball will be announced in the winter semester.
Said Grace, “We are hopeful that elevating these marquee awards in such an inspiring and creative manner will not only leave a lasting impression with the recipients, but with the entirety of the OUA and sport community.”
This lasting impression is also something that Mamakeesick hopes to see, as most important for her is being able to “inspire others, bring awareness, and help bring pride to this culture.”
To learn more about Jessica Mamakeesick and her work, follow her on Instagram (@Mamakeesick_Roots) and Facebook (Mamakeesick Roots), and stay tuned to the OUA channels for the unveiling of these awards.
