OVPI Call for Artists

The University of Victoria is inviting design submissions from local artists for the logo of the Office of the Vice-President Indigenous (OVPI), which has recently received the name Etalew̓txʷ | ÁTOL ÁUTW | Centre of respect for the rights of one another and all beings.

The OVPI, which leads Indigenous initiatives and priorities at the University of Victoria, was created alongside the position of Vice-President Indigenous in Spring 2022. As a senior leadership department, the OVPI plans to unveil this logo alongside the circulation of the Office’s official name and values, outlined below. We are seeking a logo reflects the Office’s commitments and values within the university and on these territories.

OVPI OFFICE NAME

The OVPI sought the guidance of Songhees Elder Elmer George and Tsartlip Elder JSIṈTEN John Elliott throughout the development of the Office’s portfolio. Reflective of the Office’s commitment to aligning the university with the guiding protocol on these traditional territories, the lək̓ʷəŋən word Etalew̓txʷ by Songhees Elder Elmer George, the SENĆOŦEN word ÁTOL ÁUTW by Tsartlip Elder JSIṈTEN John Elliott have been shared with us. Translated into English, these words mean “Centre of respect for the rights of one another and all beings.”

Rooted in the teaching of ʔetal nəwəl | ÁTOL,NEUEL | showing respect for the rights of one another and all living things, and honouring the laws and protocols of the traditional territories, the OVPI leads the university’s Indigenous initiatives and priorities.

 

sk̓ʷeʔs   TŦE SḴÁLS I, TŦE ŚX̱ENÁṈS | Laws and Philosophies

Héʔəkʷ ʔə cə čəléŋən ɫtə | HÁEQ TE OL TŦE ĆELÁ EN TE | Remember our ancestors/birthright

Nəc̓əmaat kʷəns čeʔi | ĆȺNEUEL OL | Work together 

Nəw̓es šxʷ cən ʔay̓ šqʷeləqʷən | ÁMEḴT TŦEN ÍY, ŚḰÁLEȻEN | Bring in your good heart and mind

Leʔt šxʷ helə ʔə cə mak̓ʷ sčeʔi səʔ | TU LÁTES MEQ EN SĆ SE | Be prepared for the work to come

DESIGN SUBMISSION

We are inviting local artists to participate in the process of designing a logo for the Office of the Vice-President Indigenous at the University of Victoria. We are seeking a logo that communicates the themes woven through the name and values of the Office.

We are requesting that artists submit a draft logo to vpidisp@uvic.ca. Please also include an artist statement reflecting on your design.

UVic would like to request a licence for the selected design to represent the Office of the Vice-President Indigenous in official communications and branding in perpetuity. We are offering $5,000 to the artist for the rights to use the chosen design for the Office’s logo.

Priority for design submissions will be given to artists from the following nations:

  1. lək̓ʷəŋən
  2. Coast Salish
  3. Vancouver Island (Nuu-chah-nulth and Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw)

 

Please note that the chosen design will accompany the office name in text, and it may be reproduced on black and white and on coloured backgrounds.