Featured Firm: Creative Fire
Tell us about Creative Fire and your areas of expertise.
Creative Fire is a Nation-owned consulting and creative agency within Des Nedhe Group, the economic development arm of English River First Nation (ERFN). Our purpose centres on creating value for our clients while building prosperity, employment and opportunity for the Nation and Indigenous communities and businesses across the country.
We work with Corporate Canada, Indigenous organizations, non-profits and governments, bringing together expertise in design, communications, Indigenous engagement and strategy. From brand development and storytelling to research and reporting, cultural competency and training, we help organizations communicate with clarity, authenticity and purpose.
At its core, our work is about bringing clarity to complex issues and supporting organizations to build connections and stories that ignite and inspire.
What distinguishes Creative Fire?
We are Canada’s only Nation-owned firm of our kind, and that perspective shapes every aspect of our work. It allows us to approach challenges with a deep understanding of context, ensuring that people and communities are always at the centre. In everything we do, we blend creativity, strategic problem-solving and communications expertise, all infused with Indigenous cultural knowledge and lived experience.
With our multidisciplinary team, we’re able to support clients through the whole life cycle of their projects. We listen first, challenge assumptions and create work that is innovative, culturally relevant and designed for impact.
Whether we’re supporting a brand, a community initiative or a reconciliation journey, we help organizations find their clear way forward, grounded in confidence and respect.
Trans Mountain RAP
For the Trans Mountain RAP, we developed a distinctive visual identity that reflects the company’s purposeful commitments. The RAP featured custom illustrations created in-house by Creative Fire Art Director and Illustrator Joshua Hunt, incorporating symbolism that reflects the diversity and shared experiences of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples across Canada. A colour palette blending natural earth tones with Trans Mountain’s brand colours created a visual language that was both authentic and recognizable. Applied across the RAP, the design system transformed complex engagement findings into a cohesive narrative, helping convey Indigenous perspectives while reinforcing Trans Mountain’s commitment to building stronger relationships with Indigenous communities.
Credits:
- Creative Director: Elisa Hildebrand
- Senior Art Director/Designer: Lisa Di Minno RGD
- Illustrator: Joshua Hunt
Denison Mines: Wheeler River branding
Wheeler River is the world’s first high-grade in-situ recovery (ISR) uranium mining operation. We crafted a brand identity for Denison Mines that expresses both the company’s technological innovation and its commitment to respectful partnership and environmental stewardship. Beginning with engagement, the branding process ensured the final identity resonated with the Nation as Rightsholders and stewards of the land, while reflecting the meaningful relationship built with Denison Mines. The resulting brand draws inspiration from the ingenuity of the mining process and the natural environment, balancing industrial sophistication with cultural significance. To bring the brand to life, Creative Fire designed a comprehensive suite of visual assets, including site signage, launch event materials and a brand launch video, creating a cohesive and memorable presence across physical and digital touchpoints.
Credits:
- Creative Director: Elisa Hildebrand
- Art Director/Designer, Illustrator: Joshua Hunt
After completing the Cedar Leaf Capital brand, Creative Fire designed the organization’s inaugural annual report, bringing its new visual identity to life through a polished and purposeful publication. The report balances financial performance with human storytelling, combining clean data presentation, Indigenous-inspired design elements and compelling employee profiles to showcase the Indigenous leadership driving Cedar Leaf’s success. The design of the report reflects Cedar Leaf’s position as Canada’s first majority Indigenous-owned investment dealer while communicating credibility, growth and opportunity. The result is a sophisticated corporate report that celebrates both progress for Canada’s capital markets and the meaningful impact it has created.
Credits:
- Creative Director: Elisa Hildebrand
- Senior Art Director/Designer: Lisa Di Minno RGD
How is your RGD Team Membership helping your team members grow professionally?
Several of Creative Fire’s senior team members have been RGD Members for many years. Introducing our Indigenous interns and junior designers to the RGD is a natural extension of our commitment to mentorship and professional development.
The RGD gives our team opportunities to connect with peers, share experiences and learn from designers working across a wide range of industries and disciplines. It also provides valuable perspectives on topics such as design leadership, inclusion and Indigenous representation.
For us, Membership is about being part of a community that shares knowledge, encourages growth and reinforces the value of design in creating positive change.
