Following criticism from some over a mask with Indigenous designs that did not include any First Nations artists or consultations with them, Vancouver Canucks goaltender Braden Holtby has announced he will still be wearing a mask featuring Indigenous art in 2020-21.
"I've been made aware of the feedback about my mask design for Braden Holtby. I've talked to Braden and we won't be using it next year out of respect for local Indigenous artists," Artist Dave Gunnarsson wrote in a note posted on Instagram, his first public comment about the issue since unveiling the mask on social medai and then taking it down about a week ago. "Our goal was to celebrate [the] Indigenous legend of the Thunderbird and Orca, and I have never intended to cause any concerns."
Gunnarsson added a new mask is coming that features Indigenous art and he and Holtby have started the process of collaborating with Indigenous artists.
"I have great respect for Indigenous artists, and Braden and I have started to collaborate with an Indigenous artist to make a new painting," he said.
"I have learned from this and I also want to apologize to everyone who got sad. Thank you to all who contacted me about it, thank you for your wisdom."
After initially releasing the now banished design, Holtby and his wife Brandi received a ton of criticism on social media from people on both sides of the issue. So much so that Brandi, who was quite active on Twitter, has since deleted her account. She has also locked down her Instagram so only approved followers can see what she's posting.
