Medal Design Unveiled for the PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games

Charlottetown, PE (January 18, 2023) – To celebrate “One Month to Go” from the PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games, the Host Society revealed its design for the hard-earned medals that over 2,500 young athletes will be competing for.

The announcement took place at the newly renovated lodge at Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park at Brookvale, a Canada Games legacy venue that dates back to 1991 when PEI hosted the Canada Winter Games for the first time.

Designed by local artist Christina Patterson, PEI 2023’s medal reflects the beauty, culture, and history of Prince Edward Island, while also representing the very best in Canadian sport and the spirit of more than 2,500 young athletes with these five distinct features:

The Mi’kmaq Star 
The Mi’kmaq Star represents a symbol of unity for the Mi’kmaq people, who are the Indigenous people of Prince Edward Island. The points represent balance within oneself and with mother earth, as well as the four directions – North, South, East and West. Similarly, the star represents athletes coming together from all corners of the country to compete in the 2023 Canada Winter Games and celebrate the power of sport.

The Lighthouse
Lighthouses are known as one of Prince Edward Island’s most iconic landmarks with 61 dotted across its famous shores. They are constructed to withstand powerful storms and turbulent ocean waters, while providing guidance and light for loved ones at sea. Rising from the landscape every 55 kilometres, each one stands tall as a reminder of the ability to overcome challenges and adversity with strength and resiliency. Similarly, the Canada Games is a celebration of athletes overcoming their most formidable challenges and obstacles and becoming more resilient and strong. Therefore, the lighthouse was a critical element of the medal design that athletes will wear with pride.

The Logo 
The PEI 2023 logo shape is derived from both a spark and maple leaf, and represents the Canada Games vision to spark greatness. Within the shape is PEI’s iconic Confederation Bridge, symbolizing our connection to Canada, through Island nature, where water and land meet.

The Lanyard 
The lanyard takes its inspiration from our Island geography creating a coastline that is connecting, amplifying, and full of energy. It signifies how the Canada Games creates a ripple effect for athletes and leaders to spark greatness both on and off the field of play.

The Medal Tray 
The medal tray was designed by local students in Holland College’s Heritage Retrofit Carpentry Program. Their primary focus is working on real-life projects that positively impact communities. The program teaches students construction techniques that were used centuries ago and replicates them by combining traditional skills with the latest technology.

Teck Resources Limited (Teck), one of Canada’s leading mining companies, will supply every gold, silver, and bronze medal awarded at the 2023 Canada Winter Games. Teck has been a national partner of the Canada Games since 2012, having served as the exclusive medals supplier of Canada’s largest multi-sport competition over that time.

“What a great way to celebrate one month until the PEI 2023 Canada Games. The beauty, culture, and history of PEI will be on full display during the Games, and it is inspiring to see them represented on the Games’ medals. Congratulations to local artist Christina Patterson, who imagined such a beautiful design.”