Honouring true apprenticeship in the heart of the woodland school @ Jacobson native art

Good afternoon to each and everyone and thank you for all the positive energy and love these days as we transition into another season heading into the wonders of the great snowfall. Sitting up here deep in the Kootenay mountains I recently had the honour of one of my apprentices of 3 years now come up from Vancouver to pay a visit.

We got to hang out and paint, paint and paint. We shared life stories, teachings and the spiritual connection and powers inherent in the woodland school of art. That there is an order of actions and protocols that one should learn in practicing the art form. For those that do not know this or in whom do not practice the spirituality of the art? You are completely missing the point. You are lost at sea...most likely lost in the abyss of colonialism. 

It is important to have understanding of the spirits of these animal clan totems in which we are blessed to work with. A working knowledge of feasting the spirits and ancestors as there is spirit memory attached to these energies involving the clarity of the art form and its spirit. We must be humble in this regard because one can hurt themselves as in the case of Morrisseau himself. Guys like Roy Thomas, Gelineau Fisher, Moses Amik Beaver, Blake Debassige, Saul Williams, my uncle Jimi Oskineegish along with a few others understood this. 

The ability to practice a good sense of living your life in a good way. I would say that sobriety from alcohol is also key as the temple of the artist should be well balanced with that as well. Things like peyote, mushrooms or even pot should be regarded as medicine. For it grows from our earth mother to help us in these regards. I’m a peyote boy and have been involved with sponsoring meetings etc for 20 years now. That medicine is very very powerful for us here on turtle island. The only real way to use it is in ceremony and to pray with it, throughout the night with a fire by your side. 

These things I have found to benefit my spiritual health and practice. I pray every day and do something ceremonially each day as well. My life is a living spiritual experience. This is the light that can be found in our art. This is the love found in who we are. The great Anishanabe. An honour to carry this life force into my very being, a greater honour to pass on this awareness and knowledge. From one brother to another....

All my relations...MAJ 

Enjoy this Peyote prayer song titled: A new dawn by Louie Gonnie. A respected brother...