CIRA, as a not-for-profit with a mandate to build a trusted internet for all Canadians, recognized a representation gap in online stock imagery, particularly concerning Canadian Indigenous models in business and lifestyle settings. While working on creative for CIRA’s grants program, it became apparent that the absence of such imagery was alarming, especially given the impactful presence of Indigenous creators and entrepreneurs online.
To address this gap, CIRA collaborated with Pow Wow Pitch, a grassroots community for Indigenous entrepreneurs, ensuring consultation and partnership throughout the project. Supporting the Indigenous community throughout this project was a priority, hiring Indigenous models, shooting at Indigenous-owned locations, and collaborating with Shelby Lisk, an Indigenous photographer based in Ottawa.
Each collection of photos within the gallery showcased both life and work from an Indigenous lens, aiming to be versatile and accessible for everyone to use. The stock image collection is under a creative commons license, available for free access at cira.ca/indigenous-stock-images.
In post-launch efforts, CIRA partnered with Canadian Indigenous illustrator Kaelan Linklater-Anderson to create engaging swag for distribution at events and giveaways on social media, further promoting the Indigenous stock photography project.
My Role: Art Direction & Creative Marketing Strategy
Stock Image Photographer: Shelby Lisk
Tote & Cap Illustrator: Kaelan Linklater-Anderson
