A selection of David Wilson Sookinakin's pictograms for the 2022 B.C. Winter Games. (Submitted/ David WIlson)

By Liam Verster

Indigenous Pictograms

Local artist to be featured at B.C. Winter Games

Jan 4, 2022 | 11:20 AM

Artwork by a local man will be featured at the B.C. Winter Games in Vernon this February.

David Wilson has created a series of pictograms depicting the sports featured in the games.

“Pictographs are the ancient art of the Indigenous people from around here. They’re on rock walls, perhaps you could refer to it as a kind of cave art, so that’s what inspired me to do the artworks,” Wilson said.

“Another thing I did was use a variety of local-type Indigenous headdresses. On the skiing pictograms I used Thule reed hats, they were used and were quite waterproof; on the wheelchair basketball pictogram I used an eagle feather headdress, like the chieftains would have worn.”

Alpine Skiing by David Wilson Sookinakin

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Archery by David Wilson Sookinakin

Badminton by David Wilson Sookinakin

Cross Country Skiing by David Wilson Sookinakin

Curling by David Wilson Sookinakin

Diving by David Wilson Sookinakin

Figure Skating by David Wilson Sookinakin

Free Style Skiing by David Wilson Sookinakin

Judo by David Wilson Sookinakin

Karate by David Wilson Sookinakin

Ringette by David Wilson Sookinakin

Rhythmic Gymnastics by David Wilson Sookinakin

Snowboarding by David Wilson Sookinakin

Speed Skating by David Wilson Sookinakin

Wheelchair Basketball by David Wilson Sookinakin

Biathlon by David Wilson Sookinakin

Wilson’s images will be used on apparel and other B.C. Winter Games merchandise, but will also be carved into large wooden disks to be put on display at the site of the games in question.

Wilson is a member of the Okanagan Indian Band and uses the art pseudonym ‘Sookinakin,’ which means Okanagan in the Syilx language.

Along with doing the artwork, Wilson is working on coming up with Syilx name to go along with each sport, though does note that may prove to be difficult, especially when coming up with names for sports like wheelchair basketball.

He told Vernon Matters being involved in the B.C. Winter Games is not just a chance for him to show off some traditional art style, but also an act of reconciliation.

“It’s recognizing First Nations people and I think it gives a fair amount of respect, and that’s what we very much want, respect, first and foremost. We can talk about everything else but respect, mutual respect, is what we would like.”

The B.C. Winter Games is set to go in Vernon from Feb. 24 – 27, 2022.