Brisbane Lightning will wear an Indigenous themed jersey for the first time in the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) when they welcome the Canberra Brave for Week 14.

July 6-7 Indigenous Round will be held at Boondall Ice Arena with the Lightning wearing a specially designed jersey. The Brave will also wear an Indigenous themed jersey.

Aboriginal artist Aunty Sandy, who proudly identifies as Saltwater Murri, was asked by the Lightning to design the jersey.

Having lived and worked on Kabi Kabi land for most of her life, Aunty Sandy has a deep connection to the land, incorporating cultural significance into the Lightnings’ first specialty jersey.

For the Lightning it is an exciting moment for the club, who are looking to help give back to the local Indigenous communities.

“It was always very important for us when we took over the Lightning that the Indigenous jersey was the very first specialty we did,” Lightning owner Julie Sugden told Hockey Hype Australia.

“I’m very passionate about Indigenous rights. I’ve also worked in Indigenous health in the Northern Territory.

“And I have had quite a few friends, and actually it was a school friend of mine that introduced us to Aunty Sandy, and we are so grateful you know, because she is such a very strong, proud, Indigenous woman.

“Who you know has had, [well] you know you’ve heard her life has been amazing. And I mean, even she’s an inspiration to me as a businessperson, and all that she’s achieved in all of these boards.

“So, it was very important to us and the artwork that she has given us just exceeded my expectations. It gave me goosebumps. It had everything that I wanted.

“And even down to the centre piece with the Lightning and the hockey sticks and the dots around it.”

Cultural Connection

With an extensive portfolio of artwork, bringing this piece together for the Lightning wasn’t just a first for the hockey club, but Aunty Sandy as well.

A career in the Aboriginal and public health system, the cultural gifts that Aunty Sandy has move far beyond that. There is a spirituality and aura to Aunty Sandy, you notice it the moment you speak with her. 

It will be the first time that Aunty Sandy has put together an art piece for a sporting organisation.

“That’s the very first one [for a sports organisation] and I don’t normally do commissioned artwork,” Aunty Sandy told Hockey Hype Australia.

“Because it’s hard to fit the brief and people don’t normally want to pay the money that you have to get to do that.

“Jordana [Aunty Sandys daughter] has done some commission work for different government departments, and I’ve done a couple, but I prefer to just paint.

“People often ask me how I do a painting and I always say, ‘look, don’t think I’m crazy’ but when I do the background on the canvas, the canvas actually tells me what to paint.”

Commission isn’t something Aunty Sandy does often, or at all in some instances. However, the process of bringing this artwork to life was smooth between the artist and Lightning.

The Lightning organisation had ideas with what they wanted included in the art piece, but ultimately Aunty Sandy was able to bring to life the print with clear runway.

“I don’t do a lot of commissioned artwork,” continued Aunty Sandy.

“I will, but it kind of has to be what I want to do too, not just what an organisation wants.

“I asked what colours they want. Obviously, I had to ask Julie [Sugden] I didn’t know a lot about the ice hockey team.

“I had to find out about that, and I tried to include everything that I think goes along with that sporting group. Like, who are the audience, who are the players, what colours, you know.

“What’s the painting going to be used for, all that kind of thing and I just go by that.”

A meaning for Life

There are many things Aunty Sandy has achieved throughout her life, through work, artistry and being connected to the land.

However, having the opportunity to showcase Aboriginal culture through printed art is something that means a great deal.

“I feel very honoured that you know, you chose me to do the work and that you’re happy with the work that I did,” said Aunty Sandy.

“Like in the beginning I didn’t even know if it was a full Indigenous thing, or it was Indigenous and not Indigenous thing I wasn’t sure.

“So, for me I learned a lot about the ice hockey team, even the artwork, which is beneficial for me.”

It has been a journey of navigating between two cultures and the sport of ice hockey in Australia.

For the Lightning it was important that the message and process of this artwork coming together was done the right way. Making sure things were culturally respected.

“We were also talking about using the language, but what we don’t want to do is trample on anybody’s feelings when title is still not settled,” continued Sugden.

“So, we’re keeping it as Brisbane Lightning. As a white person I don’t see my voice as to be their voice, but I see us as amplifying their voice and amplifying their message for them.

“So, you know, it’s really important to be heard.

“We have got a full packed ceremony. We have a smoking ceremony. We have the welcome to country. We have Aunty [Sandy] doing puck drop.

“Her [Aunty Sandy] grandkids are all coming along too, her daughter. So, we’re making it a really big day.”

Full meaning behind the Aunty Sandy artwork and Brisbane Lightning jersey can be found here.

Brisbane Lightning will face Canberra Brave across to back-to-back games to celebrate Indigenous Round on July 6-7.