senk’lip (coyote) goes viral

The story behind IndigiNews’ 2021 swag, designed by Lauren Marchand.

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IndigiNews swag campaign, coyote goes viral

Decolonizing the media at IndigiNews is a family affair. Since early 2020, Lauren Marchand, has been working behind the scenes supporting her sister, IndigiNews’ cultural editor and senior Aunty, Kelsie Kilawna. 

Back when IndigiNews was just an idea, Lauren and Kelsie were living together and would spend their evenings sipping tea and talking about their vision for community storytelling that uplifted syilx people.

“I’ve watched its birth and its growth,” says Lauren. She’s a sister, mother, and has recently become a graphic artist. So, naturally, when IndigiNews decided to create swag for the first time, Lauren stepped in to help. 

Right now, we’re trying to get 200 people to become paying monthly supporters of IndigiNews — and that’s where the swag comes in. In true sqilxw way, we’ll reciprocate and give people something in return. We’ve made 75 stickers, 75 totes, and 50 t-shirts. The stickers and totes feature Lauren’s senk’lip (coyote) design.

“I see IndigiNews as the coyotes of the media, here to teach lessons,” Lauren explains. In her drawing, which she calls “coyote goes viral,” senk’lip is sitting in front of a computer sipping mountain medicine tea. If you look closely, you’ll see that he has sticks holding open his eyes. 

“I woke up one morning and this image popped into my head,” Lauren says. “Coyote is a very big teacher for us. He’s a kind of trickster and real sassy. He’s all about making big changes and transformations, just like IndigiNews.”

When explaining the significance of the sticks, Lauren says senk’lip is “trying to see really clearly.” It’s meant to symbolize that IndigiNews has eyes out watching. 


Within our team, we often call IndigiNews a sisterhood. So, it feels right to have Lauren’s syilx art contribute to our ongoing efforts to make sure Indigenous stories are heard, understood and respected.

“I know a large vision of IndigiNews is to show the beauty within Indigenous people, because media is so rooted in trauma,” Lauren says. “That’s something that we need more of.” 

Lauren Marchand, pictured here at Smitken Beach in syilx territory in 2021, wearing a t-shirt that she designed. Photo by Kelsie Kilawna.

Asked what it will be like to see people walking around with her design, she says she can’t believe it. 

“It’s crazy to think that something that used to live in my head is now with other people and they see value in it.”

If you want to get your hands on IndigiNews’ swag, head to our website and sign up to become a monthly supporter. All of the support we receive will go towards our storytelling and efforts to decolonize the media.   

Author

Lindsay Sample

We live in a media ecosystem that thrives on misinformation. Big Tech and AI companies are consuming the work of real human beings and Canadian news has been banned on Facebook and Instagram.

Eden Fineday

And yet, I have hope for journalism because of the work we’re doing at IndigiNews.

At IndigiNews, we embody tâpwêwin — the Cree value of integrity and responsibility in truth-telling. We are committed to our independent, Indigenous-led newsroom rooted in community, accountability, and relationality. We believe storytelling is a sacred fire that connects our pasts, presents, and futures through the storytellers in our Storytelling Lodge. IndigiNews creates space for Indigenous journalists, storytellers, Knowledge Keepers, and communities to gather, learn, and share stories that matter.

As a registered charity, we are building a fire that allows our work not just to ignite but to thrive. Rather than relying on advertising or corporate acquisition, IndigiNews is sustained by people like you who believe Indigenous stories are important for the future of our communities.

Your support is making a real difference.

Our community of supporters, our Firekeepers, make it possible to grow our newsroom, publish award-winning journalism, train emerging Indigenous journalists through initiatives like the ReFocus Photojournalism Fellowship, and publish trustworthy stories that serve our communities across the country. Every story we publish helps fill in gaps left by mainstream media and ensures Indigenous perspectives are represented with care, accuracy and respect.

But there is still more work to do.

As the media landscape becomes more and more uncertain, community support is as necessary and essential as it’s ever been. Every new Firekeeper helps protect the independence of our newsroom and strengthens journalism that is accountable to our many and varied communities over corporations.

That’s why we’re inviting you to become a Firekeeper.

Firekeepers tend to and protect the sacred fire. Your monthly contributions directly support IndigiNews’s Storytelling Lodge, helps sustain our independent, Indigenous-led newsroom, and ensures future generations of Indigenous storytellers have the resources they need to do the work.

As a registered Canadian charity, all eligible donations receive a charitable tax receipt.

If you believe Indigenous stories matter, if you value independent journalism, and if you want to help build a strong future for Indigenous media, we invite you to join our circle of Firekeepers today.

Together, we can keep the fire burning.

— Eden Fineday, Publisher, IndigiNews

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