Cree artist hand-paints 150 sticks for World Junior Championships

Jason Carter was absolutely gobsmacked at the request he received from Hockey Canada earlier this year. Carter, a Cree sculptor, painter, illustrator, public artist and graphic designer from Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta was asked by Hockey Canada to create 150 unique and vibrant "Player of the Game" awards to be given out to players and dignitaries at the upcoming World Junior Championships in Red Deer, Alberta and... boy oh boy did he deliver.

Rather than fashion a boring old trophy or plaque, Carter hand painted over 150 hockey sticks with his striking take on traditional Cree art. I mean... just look at these beauties:

How cool is that!?

Imagine winning Player of the Game and then getting to take home something like that for the mantle?!

"To have them be presented with a piece of my work to represent their hard work, their life-long dream of playing at the World Juniors, is pretty remarkable and totally humbling for me," said Carter in an interview with CBC.

"I think it's important to share Indigenous Peoples' artwork [and our culture] with the world," said Carter, whose work has been showcased around the world.

To see more of Carter's work, give him a follow on Instagram: