Mark is one of Canada’s design leaders with deep roots and over 30 years of experience working for Canada’s Indigenous communities and organizations. He is currently freelancing and working on projects throughout the three territories and beyond. He’s worked with many Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations helping First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, completing projects for the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, New Journeys, Indian Horse, the movie, Primary Colours, Turtle Island Institute, EntrepreNorth and many others. Mark is also currently an Instructor in the Multimedia Communication program through the School of Business and Leadership.
Mark is the Past-National President of the Design Professionals of Canada (DesCan). He was elected National President in 2018 and held the position for two consecutive terms. Mark was the first Indigenous National President and the first to lead from Canada’s Arctic region. Both were first’s in the organizations 67-year history. Mark is also a Certified Design Professional with DesCan (CDP) and a Certified Designer with RGD Canada (RGD). He has also volunteered his time with Design Professionals of Canada, RGD Canada’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, RGD’s Student Awards 2022 as judge for the Indigenous Design category, the Juno Awards as judge in the Best Album Cover Design category, and a judge in the Graphic Design category at the D&AD (Design and Advertising) Awards in London, England, and in 2024 is a judge in Strategy’s 2024 Marketing Awards and has been nominated in the 2024 Juno Awards for best Album Artwork of the Year.
Mark has spoken and participated in panel discussions and conferences on many International stages where he brings his extensive experience and Indigenous knowledge to a global audience. He has presented and has been invited to speak to colleges and universities in the United Kingdom, United States, New Zealand, and Australia on topics such as Decolonizing Design, Decolonizing Education, Artificial Intelligence and Intergenerational trauma as it relates to Residential Schools, the 60s Scoop and the child welfare systems in Canada. His passion is engaging with and mentoring emerging designers from around the globe.
He is Anishinaabe, wolf clan from Little Grand Rapids First Nation (Treaty 5) and Lac Seul First Nation (Treaty 3). He is proud of his Ojibway roots and often spends his time dancing, drumming and sharing his culture with others through workshops and events. Mark lives, works and plays in Whitehorse, Yukon on the traditional territories of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council.
Field of expertise
• Indigenous knowledge
• Graphic design
• Photography
• Social transformation
• International speaker/presenter
Areas of interest
• Youth leadership
• Storytelling
• Indigenization
• Mental health and wellness
• Decision-making
• Indigenous Design Advocacy
• Indigenous art
• Artificial Intelligence