IDLE NO MORE

On December 10th, in reaction not just to the insulting, and treaty-violating Bill C-45, but to years and years of corrosive behaviour, protests and rallies all over Canada took up the Idle No More banner. The website’s mission describes it best:

“Idle No More calls on all people to join in a revolution which honors and fulfills Indigenous sovereignty which protects the land and water. Colonization continues through attacks to Indigenous rights and damage to the land and water. We must repair these violations, live the spirit and intent of the treaty relationship, work towards justice in action, and protect Mother Earth.”

I love that their website includes a clear plan of action. What is more frustrating than not knowing how to initiate change?  Under their Promote link, they call on everyone to write letters, use social media, start conversations, research, make art, educate themselves and others,… click to read the really wonderful list under “PROMOTE”.

The most touching thing about this is the tone: It’s encouraging, positive, enthusiastic.  There is anger, frustration and betrayal, but missing is the bitter vitriol that, considering, would be legitimate and reasonable.  Instead there is a hopefulness, and determination that… well… lets say it gives me cry-throat and leave it at that.

Rather than hopeless, I felt inspired to help and support Idle No More, and since I am aggravatingly late to the party and missed the protests, I made some print materials that are free for distribution, print and sharing.  Feel free to use them, and support the movement yourself – there are more examples of art and graphics on the website, from many different artists.  Let’s banish apathy and write to the Harper government, encourage media to cover this, and support First Nations People in every way we can.

Poster!

A square poster… Good for twitter pics and other places where squares are!

Bumper Stickers/headers:

Black and white:

Colour:

If you’d like print resolution files of any of these materials, please email me (gilliangoerz (at) gmail.com), and I’ll gladly send them along.  I can also send vector files that can be separated for screen printing.  Any application of my work that supports Idle No More is welcome and encouraged. I obviously would expect and insist that if reproductions are sold, any and all profits go to Idle No More.

ALSO: I tried to research these to some degree but if what I have made is accidentally offensive, for the love of pete, please let me know.