The only 2 souls who remained loyal to me throughout my investigations into the Norval Morrisseau art fraud

Good morning and it’s a great day to start it off with some gratitude and appreciation for 2 amazing guys that I not only had the honour to become friends with, but remained loyal to me throughout the whole experience of this Norval Morrisseau art fraud investigation. The movie there are no fakes really brought about some negativity but it didn’t jeopardize these 2 friendships. I’m super grateful for that. With my bro in Dallas Thompson pictured here, this guy is perhaps the most incredible warrior I have ever met in all my travels in life. He was the key to opening up all these doors regarding this investigation. 

When he disclosed to me what was going on in Thunder Bay with what took place at Gary Lamont’s, it was the most devastating truth that was being uncovered by my brother. The nights he would call me at 2 am in the morning, talking to 5 am about all the events that took place was utterly fuckin soul crushing. I would listen to him break down the events that happened to him and we would both cry. The amount of pain and suffering that was endured would take super human strength to deal with, day in and day out. It’s one of the main reasons why I look up to this guy. Not only did he become the first one to opening the door to charging and getting Gary lamont arrested with 23 counts of sexual assault, forcible confinement, death threats, assault with a weapon etc, he also opened the door for us to work with the other survivors. 

This was the real team effort. You have to remember that before these crucial moves that took place, the RCMP, the other police forces, the Norval Morrisseau estate, academia including the lawyer Jonathan Sommer, they had nothing. They were all being beat by the lies being believed in Ontario superior court. The Canadian rule of law had made these fake paintings, real. This is obviously another reason as to why I have little faith in the rule of law. As an indian in Canada, the way they bend and twist it to serve their own needs is fucked up and seriously discouraging. So I did what my ancestors inspired me to do and that’s go forward in this whole mess with indian law, our cultural laws and teachings.

It was status Indians who brought light to the severity of these atrocities first. The serial rapist in Gary Lamont needed to be stopped. It had way more fuckin priority than the fraud. That’s what nobody could figure out including the police. They knew some things but couldn’t find a way to get their man in Lamont. We did that. Dallas Thompson and I. There was no Norval Morrisseau estate there. There were no OPP officers there. No Ontario superior court, No detectives. no academics, no NMHS, No KRG, no Ritchie Sinclair, no John Zemanovich, no Jonathan Sommer, no Coghlan art....not one of them. It took the courage and determination of both Dallas and I to get the ball rolling. From here, everything and everyone got to jump on board. Make no mistake about that. These are the facts. Even though many have tried to control this narrative and spin it in their favour. This is the reality. 

This guy here is Kevin Hearn. He too saw this thing all the way through. He never betrayed me or turned his back on me, even today. The amount of appreciation and respect I have for him is phenomenal. He stood up to these fraud bastards as well and committed to the process of uncovering, discovering and recovering justice. Not only for Norval Morrisseau’s legacy, but more importantly, for our friend in Dallas. For me, he’s also a hero like Dallas. What Kevin was able to contribute in regards to support, dedication, faith and trust, belief in us, and unwavering resolve is simply amazing. 

He is a true soul. He never abandoned Dallas and I. He has stayed the course even now. Like his friend in Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip, they have learned the secret path. The door that opens to us and our world. As hard as that is for some to enter, Kevin Hearn is a true spirit, a genuine human being who cared enough to help set this record straight.  For Canadians and First Nations alike so that hopefully we can continue on this path, the path to truth and reconciliation. More to come and more to be revealed, Im certainly not done with many of you yet. With respect and appreciation...all my relations, MAJ

Exposing the lies of the Norval Morrisseau estate part: 3 (The fraud behind the fraud)

 Picking up from where we left off with regards to exposing the crimes, lies and bullshit of the Norval Morrisseau estate we are going to enter new territory surrounding this whole empire of darkness. So, here it is for the first time being exposed publicly is an actual photo of Gabe Vadas working on and painting Norval Morrisseau art. This big fat secret has been incubating in the Canadian art scene for years. Nobody really knew how involved both Gabe and Michelle were as Morrisseau’s “caregivers” but here is the true reality. 

I suspected early on that there was way more to: “more than meets the eye” with these two. For one thing they most certainly underestimated me and my level of knowledge and understanding. I’m sure they’ll try to spin it as....”every great artist has apprentices” and helpers. True, but not all apprentices and helpers are suspected of finishing off hundreds and hundreds of paintings. Putting into question not only who actually painted these things but more importantly the validity of authenticity concerning the majority of most of these works being created throughout the 1990’s and 2000’s.  

Ever since I got involved with my investigations regarding this fraud and studying Morrisseau and his techniques and applications I could notice a dramatic shift in the actual style of his works in the 1990’s especially. The forms changed, the work became more childish rather than childlike. The people forms had shifted into little mini “Elvis looking Indians” with sideburns and all. Way less detailing and inlay work. Very novice like. Yes Norval was suffering from Parkinson’s at the time, yes he suffered miserably with that stroke. It took the majority of his skills away. Thus the need for extra more reliable and sturdy hands. 

Never once have they ever come out publicly to announce these truths. Never once have they ever admitted to being Norval Morrisseau’s artistic apprentices. But here it is. You have to ask yourself why all the secrecy? Why keep this hidden from the public? I’ll tell you why: MONEY. That is the underlying reason why. It would be much more difficult to actually get the Canadian art buying public to spend thousands of dollars on this art if it was known that they were being primarily created and manufactured by you guessed it? White settlers. Lol. Precisely why they needed to keep quiet about this. Imagine that huh? Spending thousands and thousands of dollars on a Morrisseau sourced painting being sold through you guessed it? Norvals primary dealer in Kinsmen Robinson gallery out of Toronto Ont. All throughout the 1990’s and 2000’s, hundreds of works of art. Never once stating that many of these paintings being worked on and finished by both Gabe and Michelle Vadas of the Norval Morrisseau estate. 

With Norval being as sick as he was back then, the tremors and shakes were getting too difficult for the master to paint. He needed reliable helpers each and everyday and he had them in Gabe and Michelle. It’s the pink elephant in the room. The shit that got swept underneath the carpet. The real truth that has escaped the world of Norval Morrisseau art. I also have to say that I’ve seen them with my own eyes being very capable artists in their own right. Upon my visits to Nanaimo I would hang out and stay the weekend many times during my visits. They got so comfortable with me that they wanted to impress me. On two separate occasions I watched Gabe draw out a Thunderbird design on a drum in 15 seconds. The drawing was well balanced, a bit immature in design but effective. It could pass the eyes of everyone at KRG. On another occasion it was Michelle’s turn to show me what she could do. She did an amazing drawing on paper of Norval Morrisseau art within 20 minutes. I was impressed. That they could draw and sketch out these designs just like Norval. 

You have to have a masters eye to see it, to put it all together. Couple that with my experience in seeing them actually produce the artform out of thin air like that gave me all the insight I needed to form this perspective. Because none of them including those dysfunctional liars over at KRG who couldn’t authenticate the difference between a plastic bag and a paper one, this gives credence to the reality that all those paintings being sourced from Kinsmen Robinson galleries all throughout the 1990’s and 2000’s are suspect of being executed by white settlers. A young art student working at an art supply store in Michelle and the gay street kid from Hungary Europe. in Gabor Vadas. 

As a concerned consumer who is spending in the tens of thousands of dollars and in some cases like Westerkirk works of art, (spending millions) you bet I’d want to know pertinent information like that. I would want to know all those details so that I could make a better and more Informed decision on my investments. This is a major problem in the art world, to be truthful, it is a world of rattlesnakes, tap dancers and chronic bullshitters....mostly. For me, I truly believe that this is the main reason why they have been hiding in the darkness. Afraid of the discovery of the truth that lays in their hearts each and every day. It’s the fraud behind the fraud and as a First Nations soul who is really the gatekeeper of truth in our woodland school of art, these white settlers need to pipe up and tell the truth. 

Don’t be afraid to expose your truth around this. I seen it with my own eyes. And now so has the world.  You need to be responsible and shed the light on this for future generations. So that they know what is authentic Anishanabe art and what was created by white settlers. You owe this to our children...you owe it to tell the truth. To set the record straight. 

All my relations,  MAJ 

Disclosure of some personal revelations of truth here @ Jacobson native art

 Good morning to each and everyone and I have been in a deep place of transformation ever since I left Vancouver in 2017 and headed out to the Kootenay mountains. The reality of the vastness of space, power and quiet inspiration out here has absolutely changed my point of view and perceptions about many things. I’ve had tons of time out here to reflect on the cultural fabric of this country, the realities of surviving genocide, being a 60’s scoop survivor, escaping death, battling the disease of alcoholism (been sober now for over 23 years and counting). 

Being heavily involved in the rebirthing of myself as a true Anishanabe soul, sovereign from Canada and the Queen of England, truly. My identity as a real version of a freeman on my land. I am governed by the Creator first, my ancestry, 7 sacred grandfather teachings and the experience in who I am in relation to this and through my own lense. As much as the occupier in Canada and their so-called rule of law which is founded on genocide in actuality, I am free to live my life governed by these principles which supersede the rule of law. These are universal source codes in reality. Applicable to all human beings. This is a spiritual perspective that really shows the way to what real freedom is for us Anishanabe. I know Canada doesn’t want me to see this truth for me and my people, but sorry to say to them, it is our ways which must come first. This is what you have tried to kill in me. This is what you have tried to strip from me, my voice, my truth, my identity, my power. 

The real truth of my real fight has been in establishing who I really am. My own views and experiences throughout my life and telling it truthfully, no sugar coating, raw and real from a true First Nations and indigenous lense. This is my voice speaking up, speaking truth to power. Exposing these crimes against humanity and pointing my arrows where they ought to be pointed. I’m absolutely fuckin disgusted to tell you the truth and I make no bones about my dissatisfaction with my abuser in Canada. This country owes us trillions and trillions of dollars, let alone all the land and resource thefts, cultural artifacts being stolen, etc. It’s so gross about how the majority of white settlers don’t even know the real history of how this country came to be. What a disgrace to the fallen...many of them had no fuckin clue either that they were all that deceived. But these residential school children are showing us some things that this country has tried to deny and tuck away into the past, somewhere non existent.

But they speak and speak they will continue to do. I too will continue to speak and to tell it as it is. Unfiltered much like the Canadian media cannot do because of how fucked up that whole industry truly is. Mostly parasites and maggots feasting on the pain and misery of others who get paid for that. I don’t get paid by anyone here. Only by the truth do I get to see more and get paid. It’s more of a spiritual thing for me seeing things on the upper plains, middle plains and lower plains. Laws of spirit. Other than this, I don’t give a shit about Canadian media at all. Most of it is pretty useless information and at the end of the day, I don’t need any of it. I am my own media. I am the truth of my experience. My lense is purely from an indigenous point of view. It’s as simple as that..

The same can be said of being recognized by this country for all the good I’ve done concerning the reality of getting directly involved in saving the lives of numerous sexual assault victims, helping to facilitate justice for them by getting their abuser arrested, charged and put into a federal penitentiary for 5 years. I know, not nearly enough time as he has always been not only the chief suspect of this Morrisseau art fraud,  but he is also the main suspect of the murder of Scott Dove in Thunder Bay back in 1984. It’s still an unsolved murder, even now. These guys have been wanting to deal with Gary Lamont up there for years, but it took Indians to get the job done. Even up until this very day nobody from Thunder Bay never thanked me for getting involved in not only saving the lives of these victims/survivors and helping to remove a serial rapist from their streets. Not once...

So, things like medals, awards, the order of Canada, etc mean absolutely fuckin nothing to me. I simply dont care. It’s a lot like being awarded from your sexual abuser. It’s bad enough that no one from the AFN gave me any support or help or anything. I had to do it on my own. From the money of paintings that I sold of my art. That’s how I flew to Thunder Bay to help everyone there, on several occasions. I didn’t realize it at the time but surely all these years later, my ancestors have shown me that it was the order of the Anishanabe that I was producing. Putting things back in order from our way, our perspective. Setting the record straight. For future generations. 

Once again I feel extremely grateful for the process of awakening and decolonization. I believe in my people make no mistake about that. But we are a long long way from meaningful change and truth and reconciliation. Over 500+ years of surviving genocide will take its toll on anyone, let alone a nation of people who identify as First Nations. Even though I have seen so much pain and suffering and have had to illuminate so much darkness, I feel I have come a long long way. A few years ago I finally applied for my indian status. I was obviously hesitant for all the reasons I’ve shared around this genocide of my people and even in me, trying to wipe me out, my family bloodline, to bleed the Indian out of me. I have survived this far. Still here and still present fighting the good fight for not only my people but people all around the world. 

I’m grateful that this country knows and recognizes my status as being Anishanabe. It is one of the good things I can reflect on with regard to trying to see the progress between our various nations. I feel though that even that in itself is quite backwards and weird. But this is survival of genocide. It isn’t easy navigating these realities. I am a voice for myself, my family bloodline and ancestry. I will continue to be a strong voice for my people, the great Anishanabe. 

All my relations, MAJ

New updates in the Norval Morrisseau art fraud investigation @ Jacobson native art

Beware - fake Morrisseau’s at Walmart and the Bay

 Good evening to each and everyone who continues to find me here @ Jacobson native art. I have been quite busy around the studio and was recently catching up on some new information on the art fraud investigations regarding the art and legacy of my friend in Norval Morrisseau. It is absolutely appalling that here in 2022, the crimes continue to move forward and this white settler colonial disease of trying to make fake paintings some how authentic has to stop.

It’s getting so out of hand that one begins to wonder what is exactly going on with this Thunder Bay police investigation. Currently you can find these bastard fake paintings all over the Internet. They are peppered all over ebay, kijiji, numerous Canadian art galleries, Walmart and even the Bay. It’s beyond pathetic how the police are handling this investigation. Let’s reveal some new information on the matter at hand.

Well, well, well, look at what we got here. That piece of shit serial rapist in Gary Lamont who is the main suspect of this fraud ring just got arrested yet again for sexual assault with a weapon. This happened on January 11th, 2022. He just finished doing almost 6 years for sexual assault and being convicted as one of the most disgusting serial rapists out of the Thunder Bay Area. Here he is being plastered all over the news in the area for reoffending yet again. 

Here is the link to the new video of his arrest: https://www.tbnewswatch.com/tbt-news-stories/video-gary-lamont-arrested-by-thunder-bay-police-4945275

Notice the fake Morrisseau in the background of this video? Right. This piece of shit needs to go down bigtime. The fucking police cannot be trusted. Nor can their rule of law be depended on. It’s the weakest shit I’ve seen in quite some time. When they interviewed me about 15 months ago, they told me that they’d have this thing wrapped up in 6 months. They told me a whole bunch of other information concerning this investigation and up until this point? Nothing. 

Still the art fraud is moving forward full steam ahead. What a complete fuckin let down. This country and their rule of law would rather pursue fake toonies and stupid Canadian hockey jerseys than helping to protect our art forms and cultural intellectual property and copyrights. Canada makes me wanna barf. The more I see the more I cannot stomach just how discouraging this continual gross negligence appears. I’m embarrassed that I used to live in Thunder Bay. The racism and discrimination that exists there is super disappointing. Again, it’s that colonial mind set of money, property and prestige that continues to blind them in their pursuit of global domination. It’s that sad...

On top of that there are serious issues surrounding this and what the hell is going on with the Thunder Bay police. Recently there has been a ton of turmoil in their police force. They can’t even work as a cohesive unit. Typical Canadian power struggles in the hierarchy of their warped and sad colonial system. Here is a link to what is happening in Thunder Bay with their police force: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/tbay-police-suspends-deputy-chief-1.6331773

I cannot put my trust in any of this. These people are getting paid to clean up the mess that I had found with regard to my over 15 years of experience in dealing with this art fraud. I never got paid for my time or experience. I did it because it was the right thing to do. And yet still this thing drags on and on and on. And where is the estate of Norval Morrisseau? Fuckin nowhere to be found in any of this fight. They are just as weak as that empire of darkness over at Kinsmen Robinson gallery.  Cowards, the whole fuckin lot of them. 

And who the fuck is this guy? This is Paul Bremner. He is a pathetic and sad old white man disillusioned with his collection of purported Norval Morrisseau’s. He is no expert in woodland art let’s get that straight. This piece of shit is just another example of a greedy old white man doing what ever it takes to try and legitimize his collection of garbage. What a total loser. Fuck you Paul Bremner. You should use your collection of fakes to wipe your own ass with. Because that’s all their worth. Like many across this abyss of a nation including that dumb twat in Ugo Matulic, he too got taken by a sexual predator who was raping native boys and exploiting their brokenness for sexual pleasure and gratification. Can’t you colonial clowns see? The art fraud, the sexual raping of native boys, the common thread is exploitation. Its all tied together. 

Here’s a link to poor old Paul’s website trying to legitimize his collection of Morrisseau shit: https://www.bremners.com/

Here’s a link to the YouTube video of stupidity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6L7dCKiQpi4

Here we are in the reality of a shady police investigation, more fakes being peppered in our art market and still no results. It’s disappointing and I should have never did that interview. I believed in truth and reconciliation surrounding this whole fiasco and yet still? Nothing. I’m grateful to know that whatever happens, I know what real Norval Morrisseau art is. I don’t need the police, or the Canadian government or anyone in Canadian academia to tell me what’s real and what’s fake. I got personally educated by Norval himself when he was alive. 

I will continue to stand up for my culture, for the truth around this whole experience. I don’t need these colonial pinheads to point me in the right direction. I am an expert in our art forms. I live it, I paint it, I breath it daily. I am Anishanabe. My expertise and own artistic skill and mastery is enough for me moving forward. Good luck to those who still dont know what an authentic Morrisseau is. Maybe the Thunder Bay police investigation will some day help you out with that. Until then? All my relations, MAJ

Mastering Morrisseau and continuing to build my legacy @ Jacobson native art

 Good evening to each and everyone who continues to find me here at Jacobson native art. Life has been running more smoothly for me these days. I’m back to creating more in the studio and my heart and soul is healing from the revelations of this on going genocide by Canada as the direct result of the residential school children being discovered. With thousands of unsolved murders going unpunished at this point in time and these active crime scenes unwilling to be investigated by the international criminal court, it makes it super difficult and challenging at this time of my life to be in a place of inspiration.

So while I continue to heal during this time I thought it would be nice to share and reflect on my life and journey as a well established woodland school master artist. I’ve been in this process of reflecting on what separates me from Norval Morrisseau and the different timelines of experiences thus far as a leading force in this woodland school of art. I’ve been at this now for over 36 years. Almost four decades now and as I continue to focus on mastering me and my potential, I have come to truly realize just how far I’ve come and how much I’ve grown.

I started drawing woodland art when I was 11 years old. I am a self taught artist. My whole fascination really began when my dad gave his mom, my grandma, a native art painting. It wasn’t until I left for Thunder Bay Ontario at 13 years of age that I actually made my first woodland art painting. It was on a canvas board, about 18 x 24 inches with the subject matter of a crane with a fetus inside it, painted in simple black outlines with a red sun in the top right corner. 

Here’s a similar example taken from 1989, a small piece representing my humble beginnings:

Over my three and half decades of experience and practice thus far, I have come a long long way. I have travelled and sold my art all over North America. I have held numerous exhibitions throughout the land and abroad. I have made my way by relying on me. Unlike Norval who had hundreds of people holding his hand along the way. Most of them enablers who always had their own invested interests and financial motives. This is one of the key reasons why Morrisseau was so destructive. 

He had around him a cast of characters that he could manipulate because of other people’s motives and desires. Most of that being a money machine that Morrisseau ended up being for countless art galleries and dealers along the way. All hustlers. All wanting a piece of the pie. So sure, one can get a little sloppy with their decisions and choices in life. As they say, you are who you surround yourself with. I got to see so much of that regarding my 15 years of investigating the art fraud surrounding Norval Morrisseau’s legacy. 

It was much like being at some haunted house of horrors show in dealing with hundreds of various people along the way of Morrisseau. Too much brokenness, sorrow, lies and deceptions, betrayal and selfishness. Just about everyone of them on both sides of the Morrisseau coin including his own children and family members who betrayed him needing bigtime treatment and healing. That is what I saw as I devoted all those years of my life in being the key architect in saving his artistic legacy. Just as he had asked me to back in 2005. 

I still have to say that it remains as one of the shittiest and darkest experiences of my entire life. It’s left me with a bitter taste, a hardened heart. The amount of loss and brokenness around Morrisseau is staggering. I can honestly say to my inner most self that I helped to clean up a ton of karmic mess around this whole thing. If I had never gotten involved the way that I did, this fraud investigation would still be in dead waters. Getting involved in helping to save the lives of all those victims was really the foundation stone of all of this. Justice for those sexual assault survivors, justice for Norval Morrisseau, the world art buying public, collectors, countless museums, galleries, institutions and their various academics and obviously including the Norval Morrisseau estate.

You know after all these years and experiencing all the truth I discovered around all of this I’m actually quite glad to have moved on. Mostly from all the broken people who played a role in finding a way to hurt me. That was the hardest part. Putting my faith in people close to Morrisseau who I thought were the good side. They were of the dark side...and unfortunately were only primarily concerned with themselves. They were cold, calculating and lied to me about who they were. 

Title of painting: 

The divine realms of Rainbow Thunderbird

In the end learning about the life and art of Norval Morrisseau really did teach me so much about myself. Not so much in the similarities as there are many, but more in our differences along this journey. Look, he’ll always remain the first master of this art form but he most certainly isn’t the only. There are plenty of others in my book who have taken the art form and made it better. I myself can be included in that conversation along with Roy Thomas, Carl Ray, Saul Williams, Leland bell, James Jacko, Roger Kakegamic, Rocky Fiddler, Lloyd Kakepetum, Gelineu Fisher, James Mishinabajima, Isadore Wadow, Richard Bedwash, Brian Marion, Gordon Fiddler, John Rombough, Jim Oskineegish, Blake Debassige, Moses Amik Beaver, Jay Redbird, Randy Trudeau and a few others. 

These are the big names I see who have made it their mission to perfect and enlarge upon the style, movement and woodland school itself. The 4th and 5th generation seem to be growing as well but indeed some of them have kind of lost their way. This current decolonization movement called “indigenizing” seems to have gotten off the track. I personally feel like we dont need to Indigenize anything because it’s already here. With us. We are just that. Indigenous. So adding stupid things like a can of Pepsi to a woodland art design or adding cartoon characters to this style seem more about garnering attention on social media than protecting the integrity of our art forms and culture. 

I just think there’s no real merit in that shit except stealing colonial ideas, themes and concepts and trying to make it “native” or “indigenous”...lol. It just defeats the purpose really and I don’t think there’s any real magic in any of that. Pop culture shit really and there’s just too much of that garbage floating around now a days. I prefer real spirit in the art I make. That is me. This is my view and experience. I also don’t agree with white people painting this art form, selling it in galleries and passing it off as native art. We all know it’s not so stop pretending. You know who you are...

Paintings by:

 Norval Morrisseau (Flowers, birds and butterflies)

In researching the many sides to this Morrisseau puzzle regarding the extensive size and scope of this art fraud and in meeting Morrisseau himself and spending a great deal of time with him before he died in 2007, I have come to see the many differences between him and I. He was definitely more destructive to himself and his family. The disease of alcoholism being fuelled by his own trauma of being in residential school and suffering sexual abuse really took its toll. Even right up until the end, he would sip on a Mickey that Gabe Vadas would give him on our many trips and visits. I saw it with my own eyes so I know the truth. (It’s unnecessary for the estate to lie about Norvals sobriety)

This was and continues to be one of the greatest lessons Ive learned from the life of Norval Morrisseau. Even today I haven’t taken a drop of alcohol in over 23 years now. Sobriety and walking the red road each and everyday has been the catalyst for me getting better and better. Not only as an artist but as a human being as well. I also don’t suffer from the many passions and obsessions that Norval Morrisseau did. I have mastered many of those obstacles where as in Morrisseau those things really defined his experience even up unto his death. 

Maybe it’s true what they say, more money more problems. I can only reflect on what I saw and what I experienced and indeed that for me is what defines the differences. Today I would rather hang a Jacobson original in my home, than a Morrisseau. I’ve owned Morrisseau’s and I still own 9 pieces today and will always appreciate the beauty and power of most of his work. But after everything that I saw and learned regarding his art, life and legacy? I’d hang a Jacobson over a Morrisseau any day of the week. I suppose that is one of the telling signs when you’ve outgrown your mentors, those before you and so on. 

As we should, building upon the great foundations of those before us. I think they would want it that way. That each of us should take the lessons of those before us, truly learn from them and continue to build forward and upward. That is what an art movement should be all about. Perfecting it. Making it better from one generation to the next. I know there will be others like me who see the challenge as a great one...and why not? For it is the very inspiration that creates the hunger for even greater innovation in the ingenuity and creativeness in the human spirit, the human being. The human soul. All my relations....MAJ

Title of painting: 

In honour of our son - Sagein Wisdom 

It’s Indigenous Peoples day and @ Jacobson native art, we celebrate these 3 masters

ROY THOMAS - Master artist

 SAUL WILLIAMS - Master artist

 

NORVAL MORRISSEAU - Master artist

Good evening to each and everyone. Thank you for all the positive energy and spirit that has been manifesting here at our new site. We appreciate you all and wish you only the best. Today is indigenous peoples day and for me I feel like every day is Indigenous day. I am Anishanabe so it goes without saying. I would like to share some of my personal experiences around these 3 master artists in our woodland school. 

These 3 guys have inspired me and have been my mentors throughout my whole career. I love them all so much and have admired them my entire career. They are legends to me and I have been absolutely blessed by becoming friends and having a personal relationship with all 3. This fact has been one of the most significant sources of inspiration and determination for me as an artist. Indeed there are others in the woodland school of art who have inspired me as well but these gentlemen are my top 3 of all time.

I first met Roy Thomas in Thunder Bay around the age of 15. By that time Roy was already regarded as the great master of the second generation. He shared with me the technical aspects of line work, detailing and inlay. He also taught me how to hold a paint brush properly as well. My time with Roy was short as I had only seen him a handful of times (around 7 visits to his studio) but the profound effects on me and in my art will last a lifetime and for that, Roy Thomas is legend. 

What can one say about the level of mastery in this next mentor in Saul Williams. I have always looked up to the levels of skill, detail, Colour use, inlay work and precision in the art of this master. Saul Williams and I have been sharing with each other on phone and through Facebook the last few years. He even came to the movie premier in Toronto for there are no fakes. The amount of respect and honour I have for him is next level and he is a true pioneer in our woodland school. 

Indeed Norval Morrisseau is someone I’ve always had immense respect for. He is the whole reason why I got involved in helping to play a critical role in saving his artistic legacy. Meeting him and being inspired by his life’s work was a pinnacle moment for me back in 2005. At that point I had been making my way in the woodland art form nationally. I was at the 20 year mark of being a woodland school artist. My time with him during my visits to Nanaimo will have a lasting effect on my life and in my own legacy. Our time together was the icing on the cake for me. I realized then that I had been acknowledged by one of the greatest living masters to ever do it. I have never looked back since then. 

Now it’s all about mastering Jacobson, my potential and my level of mastership in the woodland school of art. For me, this is the greatest artform on the planet. I love everything about being an Anishanabe master artist. I am one of the living legacies and spirit of this art now. This is how I feel about it. My time is now. The light of this torch has been handed down on to capable and grateful hands. It is an honour and privilege and I will continue to carry this legacy through all my paintings as did these great legends before me. With deep respect and love....all my relations MAJ

The reality of the estate of Norval Morrisseau - fakes at Walmart

Good afternoon to each and everyone and a big thank you for all the support and appreciation for the truth and experiences I am honoured to share. I recently found this ad last week where this is what has become of Norval Morrisseau’s artistic legacy. That the public and these corporations are being deceived at such a level of disgrace. 

That people are exposed to these “black drybrush” sexual assault fake paintings spearheaded by the mastermind himself in Gary Lamont, a sexual serial rapist out of Thunder Bay Ontario, is atrocious. The fact that this particular wave has done so much damage is really beyond gross negligence by the entire estate of Morrisseau.

This is beyond embarrassing and it truly reflects why I left the scene in regards to helping the estate of Morrisseau any further. I have absolutely zero affiliations with anyone at the estate of Norval Morrisseau. Thank goodness. I have moved on. My guidance and persistence comes from protecting our culture and the authenticity of our art forms in the woodland school of art. I will continue to be a Shepard and guardian for these reasons. Because as you can see, relying on those at the estate to solve any of these problems has been the real issue at hand.

I am grateful that my capacity to reveal the facts continue to keep this sword of mine as sharp as ever. We will see what other actions take shape as the direct result of my efforts and those who were close to the story. There wouldn’t have been any police investigation if it wasn’t for those efforts of what it took in creating this story and launching the movie and the players who were involved. We are the core of setting the record straight. Not the estate of Norval Morrisseau. For those 0f us who were there, we anticipate a wide and sweeping change of the realities involving what is truly the biggest art fraud in both First Nations and Canadian history. 

More to come and please continue to stay tuned....all my relations, MAJ

The deceptions and betrayal of a former apprentice in John Zemanovich @ Jacobson native art

As Norval would so often say, may the blessings be. So, I’ll begin by explaining how John Zemanovich found me and became my apprentice for over 10 years in the woodland school of art. I’ll also explain our involvement in the investigations of the Norval Morrisseau art fraud. At the end of the day, he did become my right hand man. But then over time, things began to change. 

I first met this guy around 2006 - 2007. He came to me through an email asking questions about the art fraud regarding Norval Morrisseau. He came to me as a fraud, as a fake identity in his former inter net name of raven Thunderbird. A made up name he gave himself to protect his real identity in John Zemanovich. The audacity of this small time Morrisseau researcher even had the nerve of suspecting me as a forger knowing that I was a great artist and all. 

Because he came to me as a liar, I felt the need to correct him which of course, I did. I told him right off the hop that he’d better straighten his bullshit out and make the approach with me through being honest and transparent. Something he recognized that if he wanted to be my friend, he would have to make some serious adjustments. 

The problems I discovered when I began to learn more about him were indeed, plenty. He was the one who before meeting me, was working with the Morrisseau children and was the brainchild behind the concept of the Morrisseau family foundation. It was John Zemanovich who created that. He was working with the kids and jim white around the time when we first met. Then he was working with gabe and michelle Vadas of the Norval Morrisseau estate. (Minus the Morrisseau children at that time)

Pictured above: John Zemanovich and Gabe Vadas with me in Nanaimo B.C. This is what betrayal looks like, pretend friends they were.

When I began to learn more about him I discovered that underneath the exterior of this raven Thunderbird false name and identity was a broken, weak and fragile soul. He knew nothing of his true First Nations identity. He didn’t even know how to hold a paint brush let alone how to stand as an indigenous man in this world we live in. I brought him that. During my time with him under my wing as a new apprentice I brought him to my home town of Sioux Lookout Ontario. He sat with my family and uncles who are all medicine men around our family drum. 

It was there that he began to find himself. We gave him his “indian name” we gave him his clan and he was gifted a Thunderbird pipe. This event helped to put the pieces together for him much better as now he was identified in the spirit world, the ancestors could truly recognize him now, he could know himself better as an Indian. But over time, his loyalty began to shift and change. He began to fall into the shadows once again with his self deceptions and what began to manifest as a drug problem with regards to his pain medication. 

But it was in the practice of the art form itself that would help to stabilize and give hope to his real identity and sense of self. Once again, I brought him that. He had zero experience and confidence as a new artist. But in working with me, I definitely helped to encourage and strengthen that part of his development as an artist. Nobody else could at this point. It took my power and energy and belief in him to push him forward in this new and exciting direction. 

Pictured above: 2 examples of early works by John Zemanovich. Painting of me on the left, a painting of Gabe Vadas on the right

During this time we worked together, comforted one another, learned from each other, became good friends and embarked upon our journey as master artist in myself and as a new apprentice to me in John Zemanovich. We continued our investigations around the fraud of Norval Morrisseau and supported one another as best we could as we discovered the rest of the pieces of this Morrisseau puzzle. 

Pictured above: 2 examples of works I did with my former apprentice in John Zemanovich 

During the tail end of our investigations John was working closely with jonathan sommer and kevin hearn. He befriended them and during that course John was specifically instructed by this small time lawyer not to converse with me about some of the information around the art fraud investigation. I was offended by that. The only victory these idiots would ever know was what I brought to the table regarding Thunder Bay, Gary lamont, Dallas Thompson, Tim Tait, and the truth of those Morrisseau children being heavily involved in the fraud of their father, Norval Morrisseau. 

None of that happened on their own accord. Remember that at this time Jonathan Sommer was losing every single court case he was up against. I mean, the other side really had this guys number. He was beaten numerous times in court because quite frankly, the Ontario court system was an utter failure including all police forces across this country. Nobody could solve this at the time. Fuckin nobody.

In reality, I put that together and the entire team at the time knew this. Although they’ve all had a difficult time in acknowledging that. Mostly because of their own inept capacity to truly get anything done. I understood though that this thing was bigger than any of us, personally. The amount of people involved in these discoveries is quite staggering. Yet none of them could get the job done. Over these last few years I’ve watched those mentioned above trying to control this narrative including that douche bag director in Jamie kastner, a real dirty snake in the Canadian film industry, a true rat.

Poster for movie created and painted by: John Zemanovich 

It was during this time around the film of “There are no fakes” that we all began to go our individual ways. I took a break for the last 4 years. All the betrayal, lies and bullshit around this movie was truly the tipping point for me to walk away. I had simply had enough of the stupidity around Norval Morrisseau’s legacy.

The friendship between John Zemanovich and I began to fade away. I had borrowed some money from him on the condition that we would arrange to pay it off through the sales of some of my paintings. This was when he decided to open his new gallery with his OPP police officer wife in Kimm Horne, another soul who impatiently betrayed me at their new gallery found here at: https://ravenartcanada.com/

During this sequence of events I discovered that while they didn’t want to solve the problem with me because of their financial reasonings, they chose to sell the paintings I gave them worth thousands and thousands of dollars. They essentially “sold me out”. They had promised to make me their number one artist, etc and ended up betraying me instead. After everything I did for them and more importantly for John Zemanovich, he ended up selling me out and tossing our friendship to the curb. 

Recently I tried to reach out to make a reconnection and hopefully amend the situation between us but I got nothing. Just a cold and dead response. Oh well, that is their choice, that is their weakness. Sometimes I feel like I let that happen to me when I deserved better, especially after everything I did to help that man and his family come to terms with their “indianess”. 

Pictured above: a Morrisseau replica of Pisces princess. Painted by John Zemanovich 

I challenged John Zemanovich to paint this painting as he thought he could never do it. He gave it to me as my apprentice. I thought about throwing away this painting in the garbage since our falling out but my new apprentice said to keep it. Let it be a reminder to you on what betrayal looks like. That it can come to you in friendship, in apprenticeship and it can look real pretty and all as well. 

In the end, I made this guy not only a better person but a better artist. I put some real love, energy and power into him and he forgot where he came from. Remember, he first came to me as a liar, a cheat. He carried multiple identities like raven Thunderbird, John Christopher and now as the exposed John Zemanovich. 

Maybe one day he will return as to who he really is, white Thunderbird man, the name my family and relatives gave him that day as he sat with us at our 8 Thunderbird family drum, receiving his true identity from true Indians who brought him into the light of who he really is. But he walked away from that as well. What a sad and cold world he lives in. I feel sorry for him and his family. 

I will always wish you the best John. Take care of yourself and your loved ones. I hope that the addiction you are struggling with will some day be solved for you. May your heart and soul find the warmth and love it deserves. May the Creator continue to help you along this journey of life. All my relations....MAJ

The crimes, lies and deceptions currently surrounding the art, legacy and estate of Norval Morrisseau

Pictured above: members of the Morrisseau family foundation in front of fake Norval Morrisseau’s 

 Good evening friends and fans from all over the world. I’ve been reflecting on experiences and truths that I’ve discovered during my investigations around the art fraud and legacy of my friend and mentor in Norval Morrisseau. I must say that the layers of deceptions, criminal activity and the amount of fake paintings that were being manufactured by Norval’s own children and family members is absolutely staggering to say the least. 

It is truly one of the saddest and most shameful acts of betrayal and disloyalty I have ever seen amongst us First Nations. No wonder the estate of Norval Morrisseau is untrustworthy and riddled with scandal and lies. To turn their backs on their own father the way they have is heartbreaking and selfish. It’s some of the ugliest shit I’ve ever seen in the art world. Embarrassing.

Pictured above: Morrisseau estate members in talks with major fake Morrisseau investor Jim White

Let’s have a look at some of this garbage that involves the criminal manufacturing and distribution of fake Norval Morrisseau paintings. Remember that there still hasn’t been any charges laid in a current police investigation surrounding this scandal and let’s hope that the current investigation brings these truths to light. 

Pictured here is Morrisseau estate member David Morrisseau sitting on top of a fake Norval Morrisseau painting. The painting he is also leaning on against the wall is an out right forgery as well. Yes, these truths must be dealt with and these Morrisseau children should be held accountable for their crimes. This is the current reality with the estate of Norval Morrisseau. Unsolved art crimes waiting to be solved soon...many hope. 

Pictured above: Eugene Morrisseau with a few examples of his atrocious fake Norval Morrisseau paintings. There are dozens of examples by this broken artist. What a tragedy of betrayal. All of this being done as soon as Norval had passed. It was always about the money. Never about the authentic legacy of their father. So disappointing....so colonized.

Pictured above: the nephew of Norval Morrisseau in Benjamin Morrisseau. A major disappointment in the school of woodland art. A broken soul in need of healing. Too many skeletons to deal with for poor benji. A real let down when it comes to accountability and truth. His life has been riddled with alcoholism and active addiction. He needs treatment. His spirit is sick and he has been in deep addiction and abuse for years. He needs a real spiritual experience. It’s his only hope. He’s that fucked...

Here are a few examples of wolf Morrisseau, Norvals so-called brother. I call this guy Judas. Because that’s exactly who he is. What a lying shame this bad actor is. Lying about the black drybrush, Norvals signature examples, lying about authenticity. What an embarrassment. He’s the grand medicine chief of absolutely fuckin nothing. This guy is super gone, super lost, Super fucked...

Another example of out right art fraud. Spearheaded by Norval Morrisseau’s own children, brothers and family members. These certificates of authenticity are absolute garbage. Not even worth wiping your own ass with. Just filth that was dished out In hopes of scamming the art buying public. Which in fact they did, in the millions of dollars. This is how those children and family honoured their father in Norval Morrisseau. A disgrace in forgery, crime and lies. 

Check out these examples of fraudulently made Norval Morrisseau paintings under the banner of what Christian Morrisseau did with his numerous fake shows filled with dozens and dozens of fake Norval Morrisseau paintings. Absolutely fuckin disgusting and totally embarrassing. What a weak soul...just fucked right up. Tarnished forever in fraud...

Check this shit out: pictured above is a fake Norval Morrisseau painting on the left with a shitty and weak Christian Morrisseau example. Everywhere you see Christians paintings you see hundreds and hundreds of fake Norval Morrisseau paintings around him. For fuck sakes guy, get sober and get some treatment. You need so much help that not even shamanism can help you. You need a spiritual awakening. Correct your wrongs, son of the shaman...you look like such a fool. 

More examples of fakes:

More fakes: 

More fakes here: 

Still, more fakes and more shows involving several waves of Norval Morrisseau fakes where these Morrisseau children are obviously heavily involved in these criminal activities. Check out some of these links I looked through at Norval Morrisseau legal. It will give you a good idea on the magnitude of this art fraud.

Link: https://www.norvalmorrisseaulegal.com/artcube-catalog/

Link: https://www.norvalmorrisseaulegal.com/gallery-260-morrisseau-collection/

Link: https://www.norvalmorrisseaulegal.com/artworld-of-sherway-purported-morrisseaus-2006/

Link: https://www.norvalmorrisseaulegal.com/bearclaw-gallery-materials-2004-2009/

We shall see what manifests in the near future. I am anticipating real accountability and change. The estate of Norval Morrisseau needs so much healing and repair. The levels of despair and dysfunction run high and no official website will be fixing that anytime soon. Sincerely, MAJ