Anishinaabekwe artist Angela Jason to create MVP awards for 2025-26 season

Burlington, Ont. – After launching the initiative for the 2024-25 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) season, the OUA is pleased to once again celebrate Indigenous culture through the conference’s league sport most valuable player awards this season in partnership with artist Angela Jason.

“Being chosen as the artist to create these MVP awards is such an honour,” said Jason.

An Anishinaabekwe artist from Sheshegwaning First Nation on Manitoulin Island, it was during her Master of Education a decade ago that Jason started to paint more regularly. She has since gone on to become a full-time artist, spanning multiple disciplines that include paint, digital, and stained glass, and launching Wazison Arts, a creative and open space focused on building a community of artists.

Designed and painted by Jason, this year’s awards will feature the woodland art style, utilizing bold colours and crisp lines depicting various Canadian animals, sceneries, and flora that demonstrate the qualities that these top student-athletes espouse, including teamwork, resilience, strength, competition, and grace.

Explained Jason, “Art is so important and representation matters. Just like seeing ourselves in the athletes we admire is inspiring, it’s equally inspiring to see underrepresented artists have opportunities.”

This will mark the second straight year that league sport MVPs have been honoured with themed awards, with Jessica Mamakeesick’s artwork on full display throughout this past campaign, much to the appreciation and gratitude of the recipients themselves and the OUA as a whole.

“The excitement, the admiration, and the impact felt across the OUA and our Members as part of last year’s awarding of league MVPs was astounding,” explained OUA President & CEO Gord Grace. “We are grateful to be partnering with another very talented artist this year and can’t wait to see Angela make her mark with her impressive artwork and inspiring vision.”

With the fall semester already well underway, the first time Jason’s work will be presented will be to the top performers in rugby, field hockey, soccer, and football, all of whom will be honoured in the coming weeks. Most valuable players for basketball, hockey, and volleyball, meanwhile, will be announced in the winter semester.

Finished Grace, “We have seen just how meaningful this initiative has been for all involved and what a true celebration of Indigenous culture it has inspired, and it is with great pride that we are adding to what we hope becomes a longstanding tradition within the OUA.”

Stay tuned to the OUA website and social media channels to see more throughout the season. And to learn more about Angela Jason and her work, follow her on social media (@starbeamwomanart and @wazisonarts).