Canada Post

Brief

Working with Canada Post, we were invited to develop the first in an annual series of stamps that encourage awareness of, and reflection on, the tragic legacy of residential schools and the injustices and trauma that have been inflicted on generations of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The stamps call attention to the responsibility all Canadians have in working towards reconciliation and healing.

Solution

Initially the brief called for a single stamp design, but it was critical in our direction — and in the nature of truth and reconciliation — that we worked with the wider Indigenous community to ensure their voices were an integral part of the project. The resulting solution allowed us to bring on board three wonderful and talented Indigenous artists to contribute their distinctive visions, making this a truly collaborative design. Clockwise from top left, the stamp block features: Jackie Traverse (First Nations), Gayle Uyagaqi Kabloona (Inuit), Kim Gullion Stewart (Métis), and Blair Thomson, Believe in® Creative Director (Settler).

Individually, each stamp represents the experiences and interpretation of each artist. But by combining these four quadrants, we complete a circle: we must come together as one in our commitment towards harmony and healing, whilst retaining our own diverse and unique perspectives. The circle is an important symbol, representing unity, protection and sanctity. As a collective, the stamp set is a symbol of equity where no person has an elevated position within the area of the circle. We love that this connective meaning speaks to the spirit of truth and reconciliation.

Released on September 29th 2022, in advance of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, the project comprised of a booklet of 8 Permanent™ domestic rate stamps, and an Official First Day Cover. Press for the release was widely covered nationally, including television coverage across CBC, Global News, CTV and CP24.

Canada Post’s video, ‘The Artist’s Vision’, showcases interviews with each artist, shining a light on their perspectives, inspirations and creative processes. It was shared to schools across Canada, along with a live Q&A session featuring the contributing artists, Canada Post staff, and representation from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

This was an extremely challenging project, but ultimately so rewarding on many levels. Truth and reconciliation is an opportunity for Canada to heal itself, and should be important to us all — because without it, we cannot aspire to live together as a society, as human beings, in harmony and with respect for one another.

Print — Colour Innovations

Type: Lay Grotesk (except Canada wordmark) — Due Studio

The Artists' Vision video — © Canada Post