The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 will be held from February 8-16, 2025, and are set to be a momentous event that celebrates resilience, courage, and the strength of the human spirit, bringing together wounded, injured, and sick service members and Veterans from 23 nations in 11 adaptive sports. As we prepare for the Games, one of the most remarkable aspects is the role of Indigenous artists, particularly those from the Lil’wat and Squamish Nations, in shaping the Games’ visual identity and medals. This collaboration highlights the deep cultural ties of the Four Host First Nations and will leave a lasting legacy for the Games and beyond.

A Shared Vision: The Medal Design

The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) is proud to recognize the incredible talent of Levi Nelson, a contemporary Indigenous artist from the Lil’wat Nation, who led the design of the Invictus Games medals. Nelson’s work is based on the unique elements of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025’s signature visual identity created by four artists from the Four Host First Nations—Levi Nelson (Lil’wat Nation), Ses Siyam Ray Natraoro (Squamish Nation), Mack Paul (Musqueam Nation), and Olivia George (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). Their combined vision culminated in a striking visual identity that embodies the spirit of the Games.

Levi Nelson shared, “I’m hoping the legacy of these Winter Games will be that people remember the beauty of not just what it means to come together and to heal, but the beauty of this place that we live in because it’s truly magical. I think little bits of that can be seen in the medals. We are all connected through the heartbeat as one people in this universe. There’s a reason we’re all here at this exact moment and it’s so much bigger than us.” The medal design reflects the shared connection of the artists to the lands of the Four Host First Nations, with symbols that represent the interconnectedness of earth, air, sky, and water.

The Invictus Games medals feature intricate Coast Salish symbols, including a war paddle, the ancestral eye of the Creator, and the mountain and valley patterns seen in traditional blankets also from Interior Salish design. The outer edge of the medal is adorned with a braided cedar rope motif, symbolizing unity, continuity, and strength. These symbols are a visual representation of the deep cultural meanings of the Four Host Nations.

A Historic Collaboration

The partnership of artists from the Four Host First Nations — Lil’wat, Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh — to design the Invictus Games’ visual identity is a historic first. This collaboration not only honors the cultural traditions of these Nations but also emphasizes the importance of unity, healing, and resilience. The Games will offer a global stage for these artists to showcase their work, while providing an opportunity to highlight the profound relationship between Indigenous communities and the land.

Ray Natraoro, a Master Carver and respected contemporary artist from the Squamish Nation, brought a wealth of experience and cultural leadership to the design process. As a cultural leader in his community, Natraoro’s deep understanding of traditional art forms and his expertise in carving played an essential role in translating the spiritual and cultural elements of the Squamish Nation into the final artwork.

As we approach the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, we are reminded of the power of art and sport to connect, heal, and inspire. The involvement of Lil’wat and Squamish artists in creating the Games’ medals, visual identity, and ceremonial elements ensures that the Games will leave a lasting cultural legacy, one that reflects the strength and beauty of Indigenous peoples and their unwavering connection to the land.

Leadership Reflections on the Games

The Whistler venues for the Invictus Games are located on the shared territory of the Lil’wat Nation and the Squamish Nation, adding further significance to the Games’ celebration of unity and resilience. In addition to the artistic contributions, the leadership of both Lil’wat and Squamish Nations has played a crucial role in supporting and guiding this collaboration. Lil’wat Nation Ku̓kwpi7 Skalulmecw Chief Dean Nelson welcomed the Games to the homelands of the Lil’wat Nation sharing, “The very first thing I saw, was that identical journey. Where we are, where we have been and we struggle with trauma being who we are. It is an identical journey Invictus and First Nations.”

Sḵwxwú7mesh Squamish Nation Spokesperson Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams also reflected on the significance of the Games for his people: “It’s been an awakening not only to be included but feeling a part of every step of the way. The power of Invictus to be unconquered is something that our Indigenous Peoples connect with wholeheartedly. My message to the competitors through our culture and our traditions. Our teachings are to hold each other up, to empower each other and we are only stronger together, united.”

The Traditions of Wool Weaving and the Bentwood Box

Additionally, the medals are plated in gold, silver, and bronze finishes, with each recipient receiving their award in a one-of-a-kind, hand-knit or crocheted wool carrying bag. This unique creation was crafted by fiber artists from all the Four Host Nations, including Lil’wat artist Lucy Wallace and Squamish artists Melissa Henry and Marie Joseph. These bags, made from 100% wool, are decorated with the signature black and yellow colors of the Games, each representing the artist’s personal touch and cultural heritage. Honouring the Musqueam and Squamish tradition of ceremonial bags that hold small gifts to recognize their contribution.

In addition to the medals, another cultural element will be featured during the Games’ Medal Ceremonies: the use of traditional Bentwood Boxes. Crafted from a single piece of red cedar, these boxes will carry the medals and are adorned with four pieces of inlaid abalone shell, representing the Four Host Nations. For Coast and Interior Salish peoples, cedar is regarded as the ‘Tree of Life,’ symbolizing protection, healing, and continuity.

The Bentwood Boxes, created in partnership with the Squamish Nation Nexw7áýstwaý Training & Trades Centre and Spirit Works Limited, took approximately 30 hours to create each, with a total of 1,500 hours spent crafting 50 boxes. This project not only highlights the artistry of the Squamish Nation but also provides valuable skills training for students, immersing them in traditional cultural practices.

Honouring Tradition and Legacy

The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Lil̓wat7úl Cultural Centre (SLCC) in Whistler plays a vital role in sharing the rich cultural heritage of the Lil’wat Nation and Squamish Nation during the Invictus Games. The SLCC welcomes guests to experience the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Lil̓wat7úl Cultural Centre (SLCC) in Whistler. The SLCC will host immersive experiences with Cultural Ambassadors, hourly guided tours offer a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the living culture of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and the Lil̓wat7úl, along with workshops and storytelling.

“Our Invictus Games are a celebration of the human spirit, and we thank all Four Host First Nations artists for bringing this to life. This year’s medals represent unity, courage, and victory. We come together as a global community to honour the extraordinary strength, resilience, and brilliance of our competitors and their families for all they have overcome and where they are today,” said Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, Founding Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation.

“The collaboration to design the visual identity for the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 offers just one example of the important role that the Four Host First Nations will play in planning and co-hosting the Games,” says Nick Booth, Interim CEO of Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. “Through the power of sport, the Four Host First Nations and the Invictus Games will work together to highlight the shared journey of recovery of Indigenous communities and military service members and Veterans in overcoming adversity.”

These Games are not just a celebration of sport, but a testament to the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity, inspired by the strength and cultural richness of the Four Host First Nations.

Visit the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Lil̓wat7úl Cultural Centre (SLCC) in Whistler – the heart of Whistler’s authentic Indigenous experience – a First Nations Museum, Art Gallery and Gift Shop, and Thunderbird Café. Connect with Cultural Ambassadors as they share a traditional drum song, an inspiring short film, and take guests on a guided tour of the Museum sharing stories from two distinct Nations the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and the Lil̓wat7úl. Experience distinctive carved house posts, canoes, spindle whorls, weaving, regalia, and bold artwork throughout the museum and galleries. Shop handcrafted Northwest Coast art and authentic Indigenous keepsakes in the Gallery & Gift Shop, and enjoy First Nations-inspired cuisine at the Thunderbird Café.