This artist from northern Ontario designed Toronto Maple Leafs logo for Indigenous heritage game Saturday

A special Toronto Maple Leafs logo, designed by an Anishinaabe artist from northern Ontario, will be on full display during the NHL team's Indigenous heritage game at home on Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks.

Jennifer Taback, co-CEO of the Design de Plume creative agency in Sudbury, is originally from Shawanaga First Nation.

Taback said the hockey team gave her the creative freedom to draw from her own cultural heritage when she put her own spin on the iconic Leafs logo.

"I was asked how my community shows up in the work," she said.

"How does my culture show up in work? As an Anishinaabekwe from northern Ontario, you know, that's different than someone from other parts of Canada or different communities."

The logo itself is well represented with multiple different images and Indigenous iconography.- Mark Fraser, Maple Leafs' director of culture and inclusion, says of Taback's design

Mark Fraser, Maple Leafs' director of culture and inclusion, said it was important for the organization to give Taback creative freedom.

"Who are we to dictate to an Indigenous creator and designer what particular elements it is that connects with us, where we ourselves may not be from the culture, from the community?" he told CBC Sudbury.

Fraser said it was important the Maple Leafs logo remained intact, but Taback was free to incorporate her own design in and around it.

"The logo itself is well represented with multiple different images and Indigenous iconography," he said.

Taback's take on the Maple Leafs logo features a lighter blue to represent water, which is abundant in northern Ontario's rivers and lakes. She said it's also meant to bring attention to First Nations communities that still don't have access to clean drinking water.

The maple leaf is outlined by beadwork inspired by Taback's sister, Julia.

"She's been working hard to pick up the culture to learn traditional methods of artwork," Jennifer said.

Inside the leaf, there are different symbolic designs, including a turtle, to represent Turtle Island and the Turtle Clan.

The artist also included two traditional medicines inside the leaf — sweet grass and cedar. Near the leaf's stem, there are also strawberries, which she said are known as the heart berry, representing strength.

She said it's important to create more space for Indigenous artists and commended the Maple Leafs organization for giving her the opportunity to share her culture.

"Reconciliation is hugely important to me, especially in terms of economic reconciliation."

Taback said Indigenous people are one of the fastest-growing populations in North America, so there's an economic incentive to appeal to that group and work closely with Indigenous artists.

She said she plans to attend Saturday's game with friends, family and colleagues.

"I'm excited to celebrate with the nation."

Taking the artist's logo home

During Saturday's game, fans will be able to purchase Maple Leafs merchandise with Taback's logo design.

Twenty per cent of the proceeds will go to an organization called the ENAGB Indigenous Youth Agency, which provides cultural, employment, life skills, holistic wellness and recreational opportunities to Indigenous youth.

There will also be a charity auction with signed merchandise, with all the proceeds going to the ENAGB Indigenous Youth Agency.

The game at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto is against the Vancouver Canucks and starts at 7 p.m. ET.