Decolonize Zhigagoong (Chicago Seal)
Title: Print – Decolonize Zhigagoong (Chicago Seal)
Subject: Native American and First Nation Communities and the City of Chicago
Created: 2023
Medium: Graphic Design
Software: Adobe Illustrator CC
Dimensions: 36″x48″
Zhigagoong
The word “Zhigagoong” derives from Anishnaabemowin (Anishnabek language) and refers to the Niswi-mishokdewinan (Council of the Three Fires) territory which makes up modern-day Chicago.
Articles
“Bernard wrote extensively about patriotic emblems and heraldry which were some of his favorite topics. Because of his vast knowledge of patriotic emblems, Bernard began to design official seals for municipalities. It is a little-known fact, that Bernard J. Cigrand designed and created the seals for the City of Chicago and for Cook County. These seals continue to be used today.”
– RTL Letzebeurg, Luxembourgers in Chicago – noteworthy Luxembourg Americans: Part 2
“After several modifications and revisions, the present-day composition of Chicago’s official seal was adopted in 1905. It was designed by Chicago dentist Bernard J. Cigrand, whose personal interests included the study of historical heraldry and symbolism.”
– WTTW Chicago, The Flag and Seal Revisited
“Mayor Harold Washington died on November 25th, 1987 and with him the only mayoral support on record to change the city seal. It’s been nearly thirty-five years since the racism within Chicago’s city seal was made public conversation and yet no movement has been made.”
– Sixty Inches From Center, Erasing Native Chicago Through Settler Occupation
Download the 8.5″x11″ print (.pdf), Print – Decolonize Zhigagoong (Chicago Seal).
Wallpaper
You can download this design’s mobile and laptop wallpapers on the Wallpapers page.
Close Ups
Brand Basics for the City of Chicago
“Below are examples of the Seal of the City of Chicago over time. ” – Brand Basics for the City of Chicago
Native Chicago
Native Chicago is a series of artworks by Ihanktonwan Dakota artist David Bernie that discusses the relationship Native American and First Nations communities have with the city of Chicago.
Creative Commons License
This work by David Bernie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. You may download, share, and post the images under the condition that the works are attributed to the artist.
