2026 National Indigenous Peoples Month Design

This year’s design, created by Métis artist Jacqueline Barr, was inspired by the 2026 theme: Embracing Cultural Safety. Jacqueline kindly shared with us the thoughts that went into her beautiful artwork this year:

The Vision
Right from the start, I envisioned a calm scene representing the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples of Alberta. When we feel comforted our bodies are at peace—and it is vital for people of all cultures and walks of life to feel safe and supported during their healthcare journey.

Symbolic Elements
To evoke this sense of calmness, I turned to the deep blues of a night sky, illuminated by stars and the aurora borealis. With guidance from Elder Colleen Jobin, Senior Advisor for North Indigenous Health and fellow committee member, we incorporated the aurora to honor our spiritual connection to our ancestors. Tobacco has been offered to acknowledge this spiritual connection.

As Colleen shares:
“Here is a good explanation of the aurora teachings for First Nations and one that I was taught as well.”

Three other symbolic elements added to the design include:

• the tipi/teepee (Watoopas or kiyawin (Cree), Niitoyis (Blackfoot), Tibi / Thípi (Stoney Nakoda), Kuwa (Tsuut’ina), and Lii Taant di Ohpayikewuk (Métis)) to represent First Nations
• the Red River cart (An charet or aen waagoon (Michif)) to represent Métis
• the inuksuk (Inuksuk (Inuktitut), Inukhuk (Inuinnaqtun), Iñuksuk (Iñupiaq), Inussuk (Greenlandic)) to represent Inuit

Connection and Safety
We also integrated the concept of family into the design, a suggestion from committee member Carolyn Paradis. This addition reinforces the visual sense of connection, belonging, and safety that lies at the heart of this year's theme.