Community, Culture, and Clean Energy Reflected in New Sugar Maple Project Logo

The Sugar Maple Wind Energy Project has unveiled a new logo designed by Shanda Nevin-Myo, a proud member of Sipekne’katik First Nation whose artwork was selected through a logo contest open to all members of Mi’kmaq communities.

The contest was created to celebrate local talent while incorporating Indigenous perspectives into the project's visual identity. Sugar Maple is being developed in partnership by Glooscap First Nation, the project's majority owner, and SWEB Development.

For Shanda, the design represents far more than a logo, it tells a story of community, culture, family, and clean energy.

At the centre of the design is a sugar maple leaf outline, representing the project's name and serving as a frame for a wind farm within it. The wind turbines symbolize the project's role in generating renewable energy, while a rising sun reflects optimism and opportunity for future generations. Incorporated into the sun is an element inspired by the logo of the neighbouring wind project “Weavers Mountain”, creating a visual connection to its history.

A striking blue eagle soars below the design, also inspired by the eagle in Weavers Mountain's logo. Shanda reimagined the eagle by retaining its recognizable head shape, adding greater detail to its body, and positioning its wings upward to symbolize strength, growth, and forward momentum. The eagle's blue colour was intentionally chosen to reflect clean energy and blue skies.

One of the most meaningful elements of the logo is found in the two eagle feathers beneath the maple leaf. The feathers pay tribute to Shanda and her late father, Peter Myo, with a design inspired by his signature eagle-feather artwork. Peter Myo was a respected Indigenous artist and logo designer whose work included the iconic crest worn by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The feathers also contain subtle symbolic details. The feather closest to the eagle contains two gaps, while the second contains six, together representing the year 2026. The beadwork features the four directional colours, symbolizing balance, connection, and harmony.

As a Mi’kmaq and Cree artist with roots in Treaty 6 Territory, Shanda brought both her personal story and cultural heritage into the design. Her artwork reflects the values that guide the Sugar Maple Wind Energy Project: respect for the land, strong partnerships, community benefit, and a commitment to a sustainable future.

"We are grateful to everyone who participated in the logo contest and shared their creativity with us," says Coralee Lewis, Manager of Communications at SWEB. "Shanda's design beautifully captures the spirit of the project while honouring culture, community, and the legacy of those who came before us. We are proud to have her artwork represent the Sugar Maple Wind Energy Project as we move forward together."

The new logo will serve as the visual identity of the Sugar Maple Wind Energy Project as development progresses, symbolizing the partnership between Glooscap First Nation and SWEB Development and the shared vision of creating lasting benefits through renewable energy.