Our Model & Logo
The Isaruit logo was created by an Inuit artist with a deep appreciation for traditional sewing and the layered meaning of the word Isaruit – wings.
Overview
Rooted in Story and Skill
The Isaruit logo was originally conceived by Marie Lee Singoorie Trempe, a talented young Inuk artist raised in the Ottawa area. While participating in a parka-making course at Isaruit in February 2020, Marie Lee was inspired by the significance of the group’s name – Isaruit, meaning “wings” in English.
During the course, she learned that goose wings were traditionally used as saniutik – brooms for sweeping the floors of tents and iglus. This connection between wings and care sparked an idea: sewing and creating, in the Inuit way, can give lift to life.
Design Inspiration
Wings, Movement, and Meaning
As she reflected on the movement of wings, Marie Lee began exploring how this could shape a logo. She noticed that the curved blades of an ulu – the traditional Inuit knife – resembled wings, and when held upside down, the handle echoed the feet of geese.
Inspired by these forms and stories, she created a composite digital drawing that was then refined with the guidance of Isaruit’s founding Board members, who unanimously approved it as the official logo.
Layers of the Logo
Symbolism in Every Wing
Professional artists at Beat Studios later helped finalize the drawing and colour palette, giving it the professional form it has today. But the heart of the design remains unchanged — every wing tells a story:
- The small solid brown wing at the bottom represents Inuit Elders, who ground and carry knowledge.
- The red wing above it represents Inuit men, whose skills in toolmaking support and complement sewing arts.
- The deep plum wing represents the women’s sewing arts, the core of Isaruit’s daily work.
- The largetop wing represents children and youth, who are supported and lifted by the generations before them – eventually taking flight.
Carried by tradition
A Living Symbol
Our logo is more than an image – it is about Inuit tradition, intergenerational support, and the strength found in making and sharing. From Elders to youth, it honours the roles we all play in creating, teaching, and lifting one another up.