Vancouver Canucks goaltender Braden Holtby has issued an apology after his new mask has been criticized for culturally appropriating First Nations art.
Holtby’s new custom mask, unveiled Friday, featured a thunderbird on the top of the mask and the goalie says he will not be wearing the mask this year.
“I wanted to make sure I apologize to anyone I offended,” said Holtby in an interview with CTV Vancouver, adding the design was rushed due to the uncertainty of when the NHL season will start. “It was definitely not my intent and I definitely learned a valuable lesson through this all and will make sure I’m better moving forward.
“The goal was and still is to include Indigenous artist and try and pick their brain to see how they would design a mask to best represent the history and culture around this area especially because it’s so vast.”
The artwork was designed by artist David Gunnarsson who does other artwork for pro goaltenders. Holtby’s design has since been removed from his Instagram page.
The mask was described by Gunnarsson as “the myth of the thunderbird, a Canadian northwest coast myth. The huge thunderbird is flying over the mountains to the ocean to catch orcas with his huge claws. A totally perfect story to create on a Canucks mask.”
Robert Phillips, First Nations Summit Political Executive and member of the Northern Secwepemc te Qelmucw (Shuswap) of the Canim Lake First Nation told CTV that “immediately thoughts of cultural appropriation come up.”
“When we see the mask, although looking brilliant, one of the first questions you ask is ‘who made it?’” Phillips added.
Indigenous multi-disciplinary artist Jay Soule, based out of Toronto, said the artist took a “step in the right direction” by removing it.
Both Soule and Phillips said Holtby should reach out and collaborate with an Indigenous artist on a future design.
“He clearly likes Indigenous art that’s why he has chosen that style of work.,” Soule said to CTV. “Definitely collaboration with an Indigenous artist would be huge. How great would that be for Indigenous people to be represented in an organization like the NHL.”
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