At Strategic Prevention Solutions (SPS), our logo is more than just a design; it’s a story that speaks to our core values, history, and commitment to communities. We’re often asked about its meaning, and we're delighted to share the inspiration behind it. Here’s a closer look at how our logo symbolizes our mission and the relationships we build with the communities we serve.
A Compass of Values and Guidance
The central symbol in the SPS logo is a compass rose—a representation of guidance and direction, chosen to symbolize our dedication to supporting communities. The compass is a tribute to our founder’s grandfather, who navigated ships through the Aleutian Islands during World War II. As our founder captains her vessel, this maritime tradition continues, passing on navigational wisdom to her daughter.
The compass in our logo holds unique features:
Eagle feathers replace the traditional compass points, symbolizing our deep respect for indigenous communities and indigenous ways of knowing. The feathers are revered objects, reminding us of our responsibility to work with these communities respectfully.
Simplified lines and structure represent interconnected destinies, symbolizing our commitment to unity and shared humanity in the fight for social justice.
Evolution of the SPS Logo: Honoring Diversity and Growth
In 2019, our team chose to evolve our logo to better reflect the broader scope of our work. Originally, it featured a flower motif inspired by the intricate beaded designs of northwestern indigenous communities, honoring our origins and connections. As SPS expanded to work with a wider array of communities—including Latinx, LGBTQ2S, and non-Native groups—we sought a more inclusive design. The flower was replaced, bringing focus to the central point of the logo and symbolizing our commitment to diverse communities and intersectional perspectives.
From Tradition to Transformation: Wendi Siebold's Journey in Her Own Words
The story of Strategic Prevention Solutions (SPS) is also the story of its founder, Wendi Siebold, whose life and work are deeply interconnected with the communities she serves. Wendi’s journey began in Alaska’s Northwest Arctic, where she worked on youth suicide prevention in close partnership with indigenous villages. This experience showed her the importance of a values-centered approach:
"It was clear that my style of working as a researcher in communities was refreshing for communities, and it was time to go out on my own and see what could come of a values-centered business that is driven by social justice and centering community voice and power."
In 2011, around the time she founded SPS, approximately 75% of SPS’s projects were with indigenous populations. Wendi had moved full-time to the northwest corner of the Blackfeet reservation in Montana, only 10 miles south of the Canadian border. Reflecting on this period, Wendi shares:
“I personally had transitioned into living full-time in the northwest corner of the Blackfeet reservation... In 2011 I was given an Indian name, and I have been a member of the Kanattsoomitai, or Crazy Dog Society since 2010. My Blackfoot name is Mystoopiitaaki, which roughly translates into ‘crow-eagle woman’ – or ‘Raven Woman.’ My elders named me in honor of my work with indigenous communities and particularly that of my work in Alaska, where ravens are a constant companion and one of our most powerful teachers.”
Wendi’s role in the Blackfeet ceremonial community is a powerful example of how her life and work embody the balance between western schedules and ceremonial calls. As she explains:
“I began living the balance that so many indigenous people know so well – trying to balance a western calendar of appointments with a bundle keeper’s call for gathering. Of course, the bundle keeper wins – but how do you explain canceled meetings to a federal program officer? I learned to embrace that balance and what a daily challenge and blessing it can be.”
Wendi’s journey continues to shape SPS’s values of community empowerment, cultural respect, and wellness. Her story, deeply honored by her indigenous name and role in the Kanattsoomitai (Crazy Dog Society), is one of dedication and respect, bridging values from her professional and ceremonial life.
Standing with Communities, Working for Wellness
At SPS, our logo is an open invitation to join us on this journey. Each symbol in our emblem embodies our dedication to social justice, community wellness, and empowerment. We hope this story behind our logo encourages you to learn more about our work and the values that drive us forward.
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