Canadian curling athletes are set to showcase new team uniforms on the global stage next year after a revealing event in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Curling Canada introduced the uniforms, crafted by a local artist, which draw inspiration from nature, Indigenous culture, and the iconic Maple Leaf symbol.
Nolan Thiessen, the CEO of Curling Canada, expressed his hopes that the incorporation of Indigenous imagery in the design will encourage more individuals to engage in the sport. He emphasized the importance of providing inclusive platforms to attract a diverse range of participants.
The uniforms, available in red, white, and black variations, will make their debut in 2026 at prestigious events such as the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, the World Women’s Curling Championship in Calgary, the World Men’s Curling Championship in Ogden, Utah, and the World Mixed Doubles Championship in Geneva.
The key motif of the uniforms centers around a hummingbird, symbolizing the four-year life cycle that aligns with the quadrennial cycle of the Olympics and Paralympics. The designs were a collaborative effort between Shelby Gagnon, an Anishinaabe/Cree artist, and Steph Schmidt, a designer from Regina with competitive curling experience.
Gagnon expressed enthusiasm about merging sports, culture, and art in the uniform designs, particularly highlighting the significance of incorporating symbolic elements representing Turtle Island’s flora and fauna. The artist shared her excitement about witnessing her designs being showcased at the upcoming Olympics.
Heather Houston, a former world curling champion, lauded the uniforms as inspiring and emphasized the emotional journey and creativity that went into their creation. Schmidt, the designer, described the collaboration as a dream come true, appreciating the opportunity to infuse the Maple Leaf symbol with depth and meaning, alongside the resilient spirit embodied by the hummingbird.
The commercial versions of the uniforms are scheduled to be available for purchase starting November 22, coinciding with the 2025 Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials in Halifax and online.
