When a logo tells a story: The FROST identity, drawn from the North

Just like our research, the FROST identity is rooted in the perspectives of the communities we work with. That’s why our logo was imagined and created by a member of the Inuit community of Cambridge Bay, Nunavut.

Last summer, FROST launched a logo contest for local community members, inviting them to express what the project represents through their own lens. We were thrilled to receive around ten original submissions from participants of all ages, each offering a unique vision of the North, winter, and life on the land.

After careful consultation with the entire FROST research team, spanning North America and the Nordic countries, one design stood out. The selected logo was created by Lance Akoluk, a student support assistant at the elementary school in Cambridge Bay.

Photo from Lance Akoluk (left) fishing in Cambridge Bay and his winning drawing (right)

At the heart of his drawing is the ulu, a traditional Inuit knife used for everyday tasks such as cutting, slicing, and skinning. In the digital version of the logo, the ulu also takes on a second meaning: it becomes the shape of a frozen lake.

“The ulu represents Inuit strength, power, and the cultural transmission of knowledge. Inuit are resilient and empathetic people,”  explains Lance.

 “The base of the ulu represents snow as a cultural identity. We live in harsh climates and remain strong no matter the conditions. The base also represents community, holding everything together through engagement, inclusiveness, well-being, and expression.”

Lance also chose to include the Arctic char, a fish sampled at each FROST site across the Arctic. Arctic char is central to northern food systems, providing omega-3 and proteins, and playing an important role in cultural identity through fishing traditions.

Yet this species is also vulnerable to climate change. Warmer summer waters increase stress on fish and reduce oxygen availability. Arctic char thrive in cold, oxygen-rich environments and require water well below 20 °C with oxygen levels above 5 mg/L. That is why the FROST team is developing predictive models to understand how winter changes affect ice thickness, light penetration, lake mixing, oxygen levels, food webs and ultimately, food security in the North.

“The vibrant Arctic char twining together represent how everyone is connected through unique strengths. They also symbolize how central this fish is to Inuit food security, culture, and knowledge” Lance adds.

The northern lights, another powerful element in Lance’s design, were kept in the final version of the logo to represent livelihood during winter and the shared identity of northern communities, Inuit and Sámi alike.

For Lance, the aurora carries deep meaning:

“The northern lights were inspired by the idea of ‘dancing in the sky.’ Many believe these shimmering lights are the spirits of ancestors or loved ones guiding and protecting our communities.”

To further reflect our circumpolar focus, the logo also incorporates a semicircle in blue and red, inspired by Sámi visual identity and heritage.

To further reflect our circumpolar focus, the logo also incorporates a semicircle in blue and red, inspired by Sámi visual identity and heritage.

Sian Ford

This logo was refined and brought to life through close collaboration between Lance and Canadian artist and scientist Sian Ford, transforming the original drawing into the digital identity we proudly use today on our website, in reports, at conferences, and across our communications.

Our logo is more than a symbol. It is a story of collaboration, culture, and connection, told from the North, for the North.

Text written by Marie-Christine Lafrenière, FROST Communication Officer