Last week, the Lethbridge Police Service unveiled a logo commissioned to visually represent the translation of the organization’s values into Blackfoot.
Designed by Indigenous artist Ina Fairbanks of the Kainai First Nation, the logo will stand as a “symbol of our past, present and future connection with the Blackfoot people.”
“As soon as you enter the police building you’ll see this symbolic piece displayed alongside our crest,” says Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh. “It honours the culture and contributions of the Blackfoot people, acknowledges the jurisdiction we serve is located on traditional Blackfoot territory and our hope is it will help foster and strengthen connections with the Indigenous community, as we continue our reconciliation journey.”
The project, which was initiated by Trissly Blackwater, began with the translation of the LPS core values – “Respect, Courage, Accountability, Collaboration and Professionalism” – into Blackfoot. Members of the LPS Indigenous Advisory Committee provided the translations, matching the English definition as closely as possible in line with the Blackfoot Ways of Knowing.
“Trissly was the visionary for this initiative and has worked diligently in collaboration with the Elders who form our Indigenous Advisory Committee, to make it a reality,” adds Mehdizadeh.
Blackwater, a member of the Kainai First Nation, has served as a summer student with LPS for the past three years.
In the spring of 2023, LPS issued an expression of interest to local Indigenous artists enrolled in post-secondary studies to create a digital logo to represent the newly translated values. Fairbanks, a paramedic student enrolled at Medicine Hat College, was selected and later presented LPS with her design, which was reviewed by the LPS Indigenous Advisory Committee.
“It depicts a traditional custom of my people – the pipe ceremony,” she says. “This ceremony exists to reconcile differences between people after conflict.”
“My desire is the Indigenous community and Lethbridge Police see themselves in the two individuals and they will be inspired to renew their efforts to live their values and share compassion, not because of any logo, but because they seek genuine change. I hope it will inspire both our people to draw closer and understand one another,” adds Fairbanks.
In addition to the display in the foyer of the police station, the image will be incorporated throughout the building, has been added to the Community Resource Unit vehicle and will be included in service publications and other initiatives.
