Seneca College RED 2020 - 28

Indigenous perspective
Creativity helps Mark Rutledge celebrate his heritage

I'd often be the
only person
of colour
in the agencies
I worked at.

PHOTO: MARK RUTLEDGE

AN EDUCATION IN CREATIVE ARTS has helped Mark Rutledge
re-establish the roots he was snatched away from as a
child of the Sixties Scoop.
Taken from his Ojibwe family, like many other
Indigenous children, Mr. Rutledge grew up in Toronto
oblivious to his culture and traditions. Today, he
is a passionate advocate of diversity and inclusion and
is committed to educating others on Indigenous
issues. He currently lives in Whitehorse, Yukon, and
is a designer with Animikii, an Indigenous-owned
digital services agency that works with leading Indigenous-focused organizations to drive positive change
for Indigenous peoples through technology.
Mr. Rutledge, who is the first Indigenous National
President of the Society of Graphic Designers of
Canada, graduated from Seneca's Design Arts program
(now called Graphic Design) in 1996.
" We were on a little campus on Steeles Avenue, "
he says. " It was a nondescript building really, where
students were making great projects and learning
amazing tools. I just can't express my gratitude for that

experience enough. It moulded everything that I've
become, a solid foundation to start from. "
Mr. Rutledge's first job was as an art director in an
Indigenous magazine called Aboriginal Voices.
" Here I was, still learning about my culture, and I
get thrown into this world of indigeneity - of our
culture, music, movies, you name it. The opportunity
to be in touch with the Indigenous community was
very empowering and my experience at Seneca helped
me to step into a role that was both scary and exciting. "
Throughout his career, the lack of diversity in the
creative world has been a challenge for Mr. Rutledge.
" I'd often be the only person of colour in the agencies
I worked at, " he says. " I could count on one hand
the number of Indigenous designers who worked in
the field. "
After working at an Ottawa-based communications
firm for 10 years, Mr. Rutledge partnered with two
of its founding members to create one of the first
Indigenous studios in Canada. And three years ago,
he joined Animikii where he continues to champion
inclusion of Indigenous peoples in the industry.
" I'm proud of my heritage, " he says. " When people
seek me out to work with them, I'm able to share my
skill set as a designer as well as include the Indigenous
viewpoint and perspective. "
Mr. Rutledge is also proud of his connection to Seneca
and was pleased by its creation of Odeyto, a centre for
Indigenous students.
" I really applaud the efforts of Seneca to be more
inclusive of Indigenous culture. It is outstanding of
Seneca and to take a leadership position in that is just
phenomenal. I love how Seneca has changed, evolved
and adapted to reflect Indigenous culture over the years. "

RED

2020

Seneca College RED 2020

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