The Native American Student Association (NASA) at Northern Michigan University has unveiled a new logo that reflects the group's efforts to build an organizational structure that aligns with the traditional values of Native American people.
NASA President Bazile Panek and active member Joslin Brown collaborated with NMU Marketing and Communications student graphic designer Conner Heaton to design the new logo.
Over the past two years, NASA has been in the process of creating its “Medicine Wheel Organizational Framework” that dismantles the usual hierarchical structures that are present in many organizations. Instead of placing officers on top of the organization, NASA has leveled the playing field by using the medicine wheel, a culturally significant symbol, to include all stakeholders within the organizational framework. This is an ongoing process informed by researching traditional Indigenous values regarding community building and leadership.
In recognition of these new developments in the organizational structure, NASA created a new logo. The logo uses NMU's official colors with various components that are important to the group.
“The medicine wheel in the center represents our Medicine Wheel Organizational Framework," said Panek, in describing the significance of each element in the logo. "The turtle that it's placed on represents Turtle Island, a traditional term to describe the United States that comes from one of our sacred origin stories.”
NASA has a long history; the organization was started in 1992 as the Anishinaabe Club and was later renamed the Native American Student Association in 1996. An "Est. 1992" seal is placed on the logo to recognize past NASA leaders.
“Finally, the sweetgrass braids represent a sacred medicine for many Native American nations," Panek added. "It connects Northern Michigan University to NASA to represent our ties to the NMU community and community in general. Community building is important to our organization.”
Heaton, a graphic design major, said he was "personally not well-versed in this topic, so doing some research and working alongside Bazile and Joslin really guided my design process in the right direction. I am extremely proud and happy with how the final product came together.”
Brown, a sophomore studying environmental studies and sustainability, helped lead the logo development project and provided their artistic insights.
“The creation of this logo is so important in helping to visually encapsulate what NASA and its members value while conveying a sense of cultural identity to the larger community," Brown said. "Plus, it looks awesome,”
To stay connected with the NMU Native American Student Association, follow their Facebook or Instagram page @nmunasa, or email nasa@nmu.edu.
Media contacts: Panek (bpanek@nmu.edu), Brown (josbrown@nmu.edu) and Heaton (cheaton@nmu.edu).