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Toronto Raptors game tonight will feature Indigenous logo by Kitchener artist Luke Swinson

Indigenous artist Luke Swinton created this logo for the NBA's Raptors. It was unveiled Jan. 2 and will be used during the team's annual Indigenous heritage game tonight in Toronto. (Luke Swinton/Toronto Raptors - image credit)
Indigenous artist Luke Swinton created this logo for the NBA's Raptors. It was unveiled Jan. 2 and will be used during the team's annual Indigenous heritage game tonight in Toronto. (Luke Swinton/Toronto Raptors - image credit)

An Indigenous logo created by a Kitchener, Ont.-based artist will be featured during tonight's Toronto Raptors game.

Luke Swinson, a visual artist with Anishinaabe roots and a member of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, created the logo and called it "a big one."

"There's a lot to say about this design, but at the heart of it is Indigenous joy and its many forms," Swinson said in a post on Instagram.

"Basketball is integral to so many Indigenous communities across Turtle Island and I really felt the drive to design something Indigenous Raptors fans would be proud of."

In a media release from the NBA team, Swinson said being able to represent what's important to him and his community "through such an iconic and recognizable logo is incredible."

A representative for the Raptors and Swinson declined interview requests.

"Growing up, seeing this kind of representation would have filled me with such pride and inspiration, and I hope to share that feeling with Indigenous youth of today," Swinson said in the release.

The logo is in the shape of a basketball and shows two Indigenous people playing the sport.

Below the two people, there is a river flowing over hills as the sun sets and an eagle flies above. As part of the logo, there are also four sacred medicines — tobacco, sage, cedar and sweetgrass — that represent different traditions and ceremonies.

The logo will be featured in several ways during the team's annual Indigenous heritage game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

A special half-time performance will feature Madison Noon, an Indigenous member of the North Side Crew.