Nooks Lindell began drawing and designing as a way to reconnect with his Inuit culture. Along with a collective of artists, designers, and creators from the Kivalliq region of Nunavut, he founded Hinaani Design to promote his culture and language, and to foster positive self-esteem and pride in his Inuit community.
We first met Nooks when he joined EnterpreNorth’s first cohort of northern entrepreneurs. EntrepreNorth is a project on MakeWay’s shared platform, focused on empowering Indigenous and community-based entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses and livelihoods across Northern Canada.
So, when MakeWay set out to design a booklet to tell the story of our Northern Program, we asked Nooks to help us come up with a truly northern resource for a northern audience. For this creative project we wanted to hire an artist who could bring their personal perspective and identity to the work. We also wanted someone who’s work would emanate the strength and vibrancy of northern people and communities. The resulting designs highlight how invaluable hiring a place-based designer is.
Below, we share the four icons that represent the core areas of MakeWay’s Northern Program. And the rich meaning behind each of Nooks’ designs.
Indigenous Cultural Resurgence
Resilience. Growth. Rebirth. Beauty. The imagery of this icon combines fire, plant, and seed to demonstrate the cycle of growth and rebirth, and demonstrate the resilience and beauty of nature. Even in harsh conditions, plants and flowers find a way to grow and continue to bring life and beauty into our lives.
This perseverance represents what culture provides for Indigenous peoples. It is a light of beauty event when things are difficult. Like a bud in Spring, it brings hope, energy, and inspiration.
Through the work of Indigenous-led, community-based programming, the ways of knowing and being continue through their growth and rebirth. Our cultures and people have gone through much hardship, but we continue to grow and spark with passion and beauty.
Land & Water Stewardship
Holistic. Sustainable. Balance. Wildlife, especially caribou and fish, was for many Inuit and Indigenous people the closest thing to currency before colonization, and they continue to be crucial resources today. Caribou were so essential that their health and abundance were intertwined with our own as they were a source of food, clothing, shelter, and tools. Today these resources are still important to our health and environment.
The north is also rich in non-renewable resources. Finding a balance between development and conservation so that our people will prosper now and for the future is necessary. In this design, the animals are fused together as a reminder to think holistically and that everything is connected. Much like our ancestors used every part of the animal, we want to encourage the same attitude when it comes to developing the economy. We want this icon to inspire creativity and ingenuity when finding modern solutions to harvesting, monitoring, and protecting our environment.
We strive to live harmoniously with the land, water, and wildlife to protect collective wellbeing.
Northern Leadership
Leadership. Pride. Future. Community. The wolf pack is looking ahead to the future, leading its pack and looking to the stars for guidance. The pups are eagerly following closely behind, ready to lead their own community when the time comes.
Wolves individually are strong and intelligent, but teamwork is how they thrive. Much like our Indigenous people, wolves share their catch, help each other raise their young, and defend each other when faced with a threat to their survival. Just like wolves, we know the importance of teaching values from an early ago and building a strong foundation to prepare our youth to succeed and be leaders of the future.
Indigenous peoples have long use stars to guide their way, especially in the northern winters with many hours of darkness. The use of stars for navigation has diminished in modern times, yet the stars are still there. Let them remind us of our past while we look to the future. Look to them for guidance when we lose our way. They represent the traditions that guide and sustain the cultures of today.
Sustainable Livelihoods
Ingenuity. Perseverance. Success. The image of a hunter/trapper with a fox fur hood celebrates the cycle of sustainable harvesting. Harvesting animals to support your family and using fur to create clothing to continue hunting is the prime example of sustainability and success. Hunting and trapping helps keep ecosystems and animals alive and prosperous. By understanding the importance of hunting sustainably we will make decisions to ensure the wildlife and their habitat stay healthy.
In hunting, just like in life and business, there will be hard times and obstacles. Through perseverance, discipline, and patience, these difficult circumstances can lead to the most growth. This icon aims to encourage Indigenous people to strive to be successful and prosperous in business and life in ways that uplift culture, community, and livelihood.
