The Mary Jane Shannon Thunderbirds take flight with new mascot & logo
The Mary Jane Shannon's new Thunderbird logo, designed by Musqueam artist Deanna-Marie Point.
The students of Mary Jane Shannon Elementary are flying under a new banner following the unveiling of their new mascot and logo, the Thunderbirds.
The new logo is the culmination of more than year of consultation with students, staff and community members and replaces the school’s former Strikers thunderbolt logo.
The change was made to give the school community a greater sense of identity and recognition, explains principal Linda Chau.
“I began asking our students ‘Who are we, as a school?’ and not many students could tell me who we are,” said Chau. “Our logo was a lightning bolt, but people had a hard time identifying with that.” 
The new logo was unveiled during a school assembly.
That kicked off more than a year’s worth of consultations with students, parents, staff and Indigenous stakeholders to find a mascot that truly reflected the soul of the school.
“We created a committee, engaged our community and narrowed it down to a few different animals,” said Chau. “From there, we settled on Thunderbirds.”
Symbolizing power, strength and protection, the Thunderbird is said to be one of the most powerful spirits in Pacific Northwest Indigenous culture. According to Chau, respecting and honouring that culture was a key component of the process.
“We’ve been so fortunate to use this land for learning and we wanted to take our time and ensure that we chose something that respected the heritage and people that came before us,” she said. “An important part of it was Indigenous peoples’ principles of supporting learning, the wellbeing of self, family, community, the land and its ancestors.”
The Thunderbirds conveyed all that and more, said Chau, adding that Thunderbird’s use of lightning also carries forth the school’s history as the Strikers.
From there the school and logo committee searched for an Indigenous artist to bring their mascot to life, and chose artist Deanna-Marie Point, a Musqueam designer who previously worked with Surrey’s Riverdale Elementary on its logo.
“We are very grateful for her talent and contribution,” said Chau.
Artist Deanna-Marie Point during the unveiling ceremony.
Once the design was finalized, it was unveiled May 31 at a ceremony, along with a new slogan, ‘Thunderbirds S.O.A.R.’, with S.O.A.R. standing for Supportive, Open-Minded, Amazing and Respectful.
“All of the students had been anticipating the unveiling because it’s something that they had contributed to,” said Chau. “They had ownership of this project and they all left the school assembly standing a little taller.”
