Canadian curling athletes are set to showcase new team uniforms on the global stage next year, as unveiled in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The designs, crafted by an artist from the region, draw inspiration from nature, Canada’s Indigenous Peoples, and the iconic Maple Leaf, according to Curling Canada.
Nolan Thiessen, CEO of Curling Canada, expressed optimism that the incorporation of Indigenous Peoples’ imagery in the design will encourage broader participation in curling. “You always want to provide those platforms so that people see themselves in your sport,” Thiessen remarked during an interview with CBC Thunder Bay.
The uniforms, available in red, white, and black variations, are designated for use in 2026 at prestigious events including the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics and Paralympics, the World Women’s Curling Championship in Calgary, the World Men’s Curling Championship in Ogden, Utah, and the World Mixed Doubles Championship in Geneva.
The central theme of the uniforms revolves around the hummingbird, symbolizing a four-year life cycle aligning with Canada’s high-performance athletes’ quadrennial planning for the Olympics and Paralympics. Shelby Gagnon, a 2-Spirit Anishinaabe/Cree artist, collaborated with designer Steph Schmidt to bring the design to life, emphasizing the significance of blending sport, culture, and art.
Former world curling champion Heather Houston commended the uniforms as “inspiring,” acknowledging the intricate process and creativity behind their creation. Schmidt, a curler and designer, expressed immense pride in collaborating on the design, emphasizing the symbolic depth and meaning embedded within the revamped Maple Leaf motif and the resilient spirit of the hummingbird.
The commercial release of the uniforms is scheduled for November 22, with sales both in-person at the 2025 Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials in Halifax and online. The unveiling of these innovative uniforms marks a significant milestone for Canadian curling, offering a unique fusion of art, culture, and sport to captivate audiences worldwide.