The story of our symbol
Discover the deeper meaning woven into the BelongingU: Rieth Strategy Solutions logo. It’s more than just an image; it’s a representation of our philosophy and our commitment to fostering true belonging.
Our logo's journey to belonging
At BelongingU: Rieth Strategy Solutions, our logo is a reflection of our philosophy and the work we do. At its center is a strawberry plant, symbolizing the journey of belonging:
- Roots: Grounded in Indigenous knowledge, identity, and foundation.
- Stem: Represents growth, resilience, and the ongoing journey.
- Flower: Signifies possibility, responsibility, and becoming.
- Fruit: Embodies impact, relationships, and belonging realized.
Together, these elements tell a story: belonging is not a single moment—it is a continuous process of growth, connection, and care.
O-day’min: The heart-berry's wisdom
Our logo draws deep inspiration from O-day’min, the strawberry in Anishinaabeabemowin. In this tradition, 'Ode’ means heart and 'Min' means berry. O-day’min is known as the heart-berry—a traditional medicine that teaches us about:
- Love as action.
- Community and connection.
- Balance between mind, body, spirit, and emotion.
Like the human heart, the strawberry is connected to an entire system. It cannot exist alone. In the same way, belonging is not individual—it is relational.
The five Rs of belonging
The strawberry plant also represents a deeper framework: the Five Rs of Belonging. Each part of the plant holds one of these essential elements:
- Relevance (Roots): Belonging begins with connection to identity, purpose, and meaning.
- Respect (Stem): Strong yet delicate, respect stabilizes and supports belonging.
- Reciprocity (Leaves): A give-and-take relationship—belonging requires both contribution and care.
- Responsibility (Flower): Growth depends on shared responsibility for self, community, and space.
- Relationship (Fruit): The outcome of all the Rs—connection, trust, and true belonging.
These elements do not exist in isolation. Like the plant itself, they are interconnected and interdependent—each one needed for the others to thrive.
"Belonging is not something we give people. It is something we build together."
BelongingU: Rieth Strategy Solutions