Poof! And just like that...everything changed

See that little guy right up there:

He is my number 1. All my decisions are based on what is the best for him. What is best for him and in how I treat him is what is best for me. Anything else besides that? 

Night night. 

Sincerely,

MAJ

Honouring the 215 souls of the Kamloops residential school @ Jacobson native art

 

It’s been a tough few days lately with the resurrection of the life and death of these 215 children buried in mass graves at the Kamloops residential school. It has brought up a lot of different energy and feelings for me. That is the thing regarding trauma, it forces you to either run and hide or face it head on. 

I choose to face it, head on. The reality is that these sufferings are super deadly. It is such a tragedy on so many levels. After processing my deep resentments and anger and frustrations around the injustice of it all, I certainly spent some time in deep prayer and reflection. 

The time afforded in conversations with the spiritual are indeed food for the soul. I sent out blessings in hope, love, comfort and strength to all the family members involved. To the moms, dads, aunties and uncles. The sisters and their brothers, their grandmas and grandpas and to all in their family bloodlines. It was needed for them and for me. It helped me to deepen my understanding of the realities of residential schools. 

My Anishanabe grandma, my moms mom suffered gravely in residential school. I am a 60’s scoop survivor as the direct result. I feel that at the end of the day, these are the things I can do to help make that a lighter place. I can do “medicine work” around that with the spirit. I know my grandma knows this. She would want for me to be my authentic self. Having no shame in being a human being and putting all of myself, out there. 

To continue to share my truth with all of you and around the world. To never hide what happened to us as First Nations. To be proud of surviving the colonizer’s death traps. To continue educating myself and others about the reality and the truth of what we have endured as Anishanabe people, on our home lands. 

The place where Canada and their churches performed their crimes against us. Their crimes against humanity. For now...we will continue to heal and we shall continue to grow into the beautiful creations that we are. All my relations, MAJ

Prayers of love for the 215 First Nations children found murdered by Canada and the Christian church

 Sometimes it just seems so out of reach this idea of truth and reconciliation. I feel really angry at Canada and the Christian church. I feel disgusted that no one has been held accountable for these crimes. Not Canada, not the church, not the priests or nuns or government officials who were and are responsible for this atrocity. 

These are crimes against humanity. They are crimes against us. It is beyond tragic. I am totally heart broken by this discovery yet again. How in the world do you trust anything “Canadian” when time after time this horrific history rises up from its ashes and speaks literally from the grave about these innocent and treasured 215 souls of native children who were massacred? 

It’s simply too hard to accept these truths. I feel devastated by it. The trust for Canada? A vanishing. An emptiness. A ghost of nothingness. These are just a few of the reasons on why I don’t identify as a Canadian. I am Anishanabe. Period. I’ll always belong to my people. We are sovereign. We always will be.

Fuck Canada and fuck that ridiculous Canadian flag. And fuck that cross too. None of these entities deserve my respect. None. If you cannot see this as it really is which is absolutely disgustingly wrong on every level, then indeed you will need some help with that. Being a proud Canadian is a delusion. There is something the matter with your understanding of history. There is something wrong with your identity. Your identity in being a Canadian. 

Even hard to say this....all my relations, MAJ 

For these 215 children...this is for them in eternal love:

Gratitude for the woodland school of art

 Good evening to all my family, friends, fans and collectors worldwide. Just sending a shout out to each and everyone of you who continue to share your appreciation, love and support for my art and legacy. It is such a beautiful feeling to know that there are so many of you who understand and acknowledge the spiritual power and force of our Mother Earth.

The spirit of what I do as an artist is so tied to sharing the wisdom and depth of these nature spirit relationships and the many teachings being reflected in those understandings and experiences. In the context of being a 3rd generation woodland school artist, I feel that the importance of being a channel for this spirit and energy is vitally important for future generations.

Being an artist in this realm of the woodland art form is vital for spiritual understanding and growth as an Anishanabe. There is a hidden world of spiritual power Contained in the medicine of this art. It is such a blessing to be able to share and reveal these glimpses of the spirit. I’m sending you all much love and strength as we march together into the summer of 2021 and what will be the 4th wave of COVID 19. 

Stay strong my friends....all my relations....MAJ 

Staying strong and diligent out here in the Kootenay’s @ Jacobson native art

 Good evening to each and everyone. Wishing you all beautiful and empowering blessings. We will get through this for what is now the 3rd wave. Continue to stay diligent and strong. I’m working on new energy and pieces here at the studio. Slowly but surely we move forward one day at a time. All my relations and enjoy this new track by Audio jack:

Massive 3 day Power outage Deep in the Kootenay mountains 2021

 

Good evening to each and everyone. It’s amazing how we take so much for granted at times. We were recently hit with a 3 day power outage during what was a freak storm for 20 minutes but wreaked havoc for hundreds,of thousands of souls all throughout the Kootenay’s. Hundreds of trees down and power lines fallen everywhere. 

Here is a wonderful shot of my boy observing the element of fire. Growing up out here in the wilderness has greatly effected my sons growth and confidence being out in nature spirit. He loves it and embraces the every day experiences of being out here. I take him quading out here as well and he absolutely loves that too. Daddy time for him and he always looks up at me and smiles during our rides. 

During this power outage I went deep up the mountain and found a bunch of fallen trees etc on the trails. I even went as far as I could but was once again humbled by the mountain. I started spinning in the snow and was several kilometres away from civilization. I recognized it was time to slowly retrace my trail up this road and reverse back down to some sand and rock. I managed and made it safely back home. Enjoy your evening everyone and indeed we got our power back on today...all my relations...MAJ

Working on dozens of new commissions @ Jacobson native art

 Good afternoon to each and everyone who continues to find my new site. I wanted to say thank you for all the support and efforts during this 3rd wave of COVID. My prayer is for each of us to continue sharing and supporting one another through these challenging times. We should continue to be diligent and strong as we move through this next wave. 

In the meantime I am glad to share that new works are being worked on and finished. I have a waiting list that takes up much of the spots on the list for 2021. This is why it is important to stay focussed and busy. I am most certainly thankful for all the appreciation coming forth in new commissions. I have been quite excited by this and it inspires me to give you my best, one painting at a time. 

Thank you once again for your commitment and patience. It is a wonderful energy to be in this position and of executing the best for you. I wish you all a great weekend filled with love, joy and happiness. All my relations, MAJ

For the love of black and whites @ Jacobson native art 2021

Good afternoon to all my visitors, collectors and fans. Here’s to another blessed day of being alive and moving forward one day at a time. Although this pandemic has taken a real toll on our capacity for social relationships, sharing together and enjoying one another’s company, we must soldier on. Prayers and blessings for those going through a challenging time. Healing for those suffering. 

I wanted to share some inspiration through art and my cultural heritage. I have always been fond of the black and white drawings/paintings I’ve done. They are quite distinguishable from my use of colours. But have their own life force none the less. Working in this format helps to broaden the creative scope and vision of an Anishanabe woodland style artist. 

This process affords the artist to learn and grow with regard to line and form. The subject matter grows, refines itself through this process. We can find new imagery and designs in this flow. A way to work out the details and composition to a more refined state in result. Reminds me of our medicine scrolls and indeed that is exactly how I see these images myself. Rebirthing the stories and teachings of the animal clan council. 

I am honoured and thankful for the wisdom of our mother earth. Our ancestors knew this importance and understanding. It is our responsibility to continue to share these fundamentals and to give our history and teachings new life throughout every generation from this to the next. I truly love being an artist, a storyteller, a visionary. It is an honour to share these with each of you. Wishing you all continued strength and power....all my relations, MAJ 

Spending time in nature spirit @ Jacobson native art

 

Good afternoon to each and everyone. The seasons are changing once again as we enter into the beauty of another cycle of life existence. I am honoured and grateful for the connection to Mother nature out here deep in the Kootenay mountains. The vastness is just incredible and awe inspiring. I love to go adventure out deep in these mountains. There is so much to discover, see and experience. 

During many of my journeys out here I happened one day to come across this little cabin. It is a ski cabin deep in the mountains here. It is open to public access but I have to admit, it’s really hard to find. I have come here throughout my seasons to come up and paint here. It has a lovely little wood stove as well. 

It has a fire pit too for cooking and enjoying the benefits of eating supper right out here. I bring my kindling and a few split logs as well to keep things running warm up here. The perspectives of viewing the mountainous surroundings are outstanding. I have a small table and a couple chairs and I’m ready to go. 

I also would like to add that I’m a big fan of the “Artists way”. It is a wonderful companion to my creative energy and artistic process. It has numerous weekly tasks to do including a process called “morning pages”. I use this book and the information involved as one of my tools for maintaining my creative path. 

The quietness and stillness of mind is for me, a very integral part of creating my art. It sets the stage for the energy and imagery to come together. I hardly ever rework a design. Once it comes it comes out right, the first time. That is the beauty of creative self maintenance. It is important to take out the time for this as an artist. To restock the creative well. To feed our soul new energies, new experiences and new visions. 

Any how, I thought it would be fantastic to share some of these experiences and lengths I go to make art. The artistic process is just as much important as the art itself. These experiences help to foster greater growth and discovery. I love being an artist. I love connecting to the wisdom of our Mother Earth. Once again it is a great energy and experience to share some of these teachings and processes with all of you who come to visit. Wishing you all a great new awareness for the spring equinox of 2021. All my relations....MAJ

In honour of my son and the “Changes” always taking shape @ Jacobson native art

 Just a lil message from us here at Jacobson native art that life and its processes are full of changes. Feeling super grateful for the beauty and power of my lil son, Sagein Wisdom. An honour to walk 9n beauty with him each and every day. 

I’m putting the past behind me...my son is the investment of my future, his future. Enjoy this slice of heaven from Ozzy and his daughter Kelly, Changes:

All my relations, MAJ

Being a 60’s scoop survivor @ Jacobson native art

 My dealings with Canada as a First Nations soul has been absolutely tragic and heartbreaking on many levels. The hijacking of our land, the continual theft of our natural resources, colonial and cultural genocide, residential schools, stealing our children, the violence, the forceful control of being on reserves, the racism, the discrimination, the prejudice and violations of our human rights for 500 plus years now is absolutely disgusting. 

The truth is and continues to be that Canada was and is built on racism. It’s sickening. The perverse colonial mind set continues to roll on through in this, the 21st century. It’s sad and absolutely appalling on all levels with regard to being a human being. The destruction of our cultural practices, trying to wipe out our languages, stealing our cultural artifacts, dishonouring the treaties, wiping out and outlawing ceremonies,...the list goes on and on and on. 

And even under this darkness that colonialism is, we as First Nations continue to thrive and live. We continue to find our ways, we continue to heal and rise. And even in that, we First Nations continue to be welcoming and forgiving. We continue to share our love for not only the sacredness of the earth, but each other. 

What makes us even more powerful is that through the abuse and torture of colonialism we are forced to learn your ways, as settlers. Your languages, your history, your mathematics, your religion, your laws and your education. And on that we must rediscover who we are as indigenous, as First Nations, as Anishanabe. We literally have to live in 2 worlds. That of this perverse colonial system and that of our own history, our own teachings, native laws, cultural history, stories, songs, ceremonies and the arts. We literally have to learn how to think and live like an Indian in a white mans world. Even in that, what have you truly learned of us? 

That is what being a 60’s scoop survivor means to me. Through these lessons and experiences that I have gone through I have found the secret path. I have learned to free myself through these experiences. I learned that I did not have to identify with my abuser, in being a Canadian. I could be an Indian, an Anishanabe soul, entitled to my sovereignty as First Nations. That I could find my own way, my own beingness. 

I shared a post recently in this regard. I have a lot of support on social media. I am grateful for the connections and relationships that I’ve built and have over the years with those who fully support us and desire to work with us and not against us. Here is a sample of that post:

 I am very thankful that my teachings and experiences can have a powerful impact on the lives of others. That’s what sharing from the heart is all about. Something I’ve certainly discovered that the average Canadian settler/immigrant struggles to do with us as First Nations. It all comes down to perspective. My activism is and will always be about speaking truth to power. All my relations...MAJ 

Winter riding deep in the mountains @ Jacobson native art

 Good afternoon friends. Just a wonderful day for a quick ride in the mountains. I absolutely love riding my quads out here. The perspectives are magnificent and awe inspiring every single time. The joy and freedom of connecting to this out here is just awesome. The impacts nature spirit has had on me these last few years is transcendent. 

I love listening to super cool tunes as I’m riding through and just feel so free as a bird. I garner a whole new level of inspiration. No one out here but me and nature most of the time. It’s just us...Zipping along like the wind...

All my relations, MAJ 

The pride and joy @ Jacobson native art 2021

 Good afternoon to each and everyone. Wishing you the highest good as we all continue to endure this pandemic and the many struggles that are happening for millions of people worldwide. I have been struggling myself a little around here at the studio lately. I’ve had some weird outside energy pop into my life that was quite frankly, discriminatory. 

It is still so unfortunate that the reality is that the cultural fabric of this country and how the approach must be made better and better each and every day with regard to the educational process regarding colonialism and genocide to our people as First Nations.

It blows my mind just how unaware and how unfortunately, the average Canadian citizen’s mind set is in this regard. It breaks my heart to see and at times experience the uneducated Colonial mind set in action. This “me first” approach and the basis of “money is king” with regard to the structures of the Canadian society hierarchy are becoming more glaring and distinct in that very structure. 

I see it as the greatest weakness that the cultural fabric of this country has. It’s embarrassing and I find it a bit “slow in the head and heart”. I have always been about people coming together for the greater good. It’s the foundation of who I am. The very basis of our culture is that we are a loving and welcoming people. But I find it very disturbing really to experience such a vastness of this across these lands. 

One can most definitely say that the multi generational plans of colonialism have done not only a serious number on us First Nations, but it is quite evident that the average Canadian citizen has been blindsided by the effects of this as well. The wheels of injustice and the horrific reality of this ongoing genocide to us in the 21st century should move every Canadian soul to wanna change. To make it right. 

This truth will always be my greatest wish. To see a vision of real true healing take shape and help to create that missing link that is in all of our hearts on some level: somewhere we have forgotten that we are all one. This is the reality that I try to live and teach my boy each and every day. That he is a vital and sacred part in all life. That all life is sacred, is to be honoured and respected. I know that I will continue to be a voice for not only this generation, but for many generations to come. My teachings are in my art. I am a culture creator, a visionary, a storyteller. 

The power and legacy of my culture has taught me that. There are those of us who come to realize just how powerful they are. For me I will never surrender my sovereignty as Anishanabe to anyone. My cultural path and identity will remain with me forever. I have found my way. My legacy is in the hands of my son now as well. My greatest wish and joy for him is to create his life experience in any way he so chooses. This is his power. But I will always desire for him to carry on the torch so to speak with regards to our cultural ways, teachings and understandings. 

For this shall always remain as our essence. That we are spectacular and immensely so beautiful. That our richness is in the magnificence of who we are. That together, we stand on great shoulders. From one generation to the next we are the change we have always been searching for. All my relations, MAJ

Working on new commissions and dozens of paintings in 2021

Good afternoon to each and everyone. I wanted to give a special shout out to all my collectors, fans and buyers. Thank you for your continued support and energy with regard to my artistic legacy. Things are rolling well for me during this Covid situation. I’m in an ideal location deep in these Kootenay mountains. 

We are located just off Kootenay lake, right below at the base of our mountain ranges here. It’s spectacular and awe inspiring every single day. I’m getting into a major creative swing over the next 6 months I will be painting for days on end. There are many pieces to finish in the studio here at Jacobson native art. 

In the meantime enjoy yourselves as much as possible. Stay alert and focused and enjoy this space with ourselves and the few others when possible. Be vigilant out there. I send all my best for now...all my relations....MAJ

Celebrating culture and creativity at Jacobson native art in 2021

 

Good evening to each and everyone who’s been coming by the new website and sharing your energy and appreciation for my art works. It sure has been a wild ride through 2020. Many have endured this pandemic with courage, determination, resilience and steadfast action. We have remained vigilant and healthy and we continue to move forward one day at a time. 

I wanted to share some good thoughts and affirmations that I practice and felt that it would be great to do so. I practice my spirituality daily with certain attitudes and behaviours each day. I find that affirmations are a great way to learn about self belief and consistency. For an artist, these practices are essential in creating self esteem, confidence, focus, faith and action in building an art career. 

Here is a list of some solid affirmations that I practice:

- I am a talented and brilliant artist

- What I do as an artist matters

- Me and my art are gifts to the world

- I am creative and I am powerful

- I believe in the Creator and the Creator believes in me

- Being an artist is a gift, my gift back to the universe is to use it 

- I am a co-Creator, a spearhead of advancing creation

- I am an intelligent channel of spirit

- I am wealthy, prosperous and giving

- I am the master I’ve been searching for my whole life

- I believe in me I believe in you

- I am blessed to serve my people to serve creation and Mother Earth 

- I am a unique and divine blessing

- I am responsible for how I think, feel and act

- I am light I am love

Once again to all my friends, fans and collectors, thank you for each and everything you all do. I appreciate you so much and I thank the universe for putting us together during the different times and experiences that we have been together in enjoying our bond, our connections and our sharing with regard to helping each other evolve and move into even greater love, creation and sharing with one another. 

Here’s to all the best for each of you as we move into 2021 and discover new adventures and opportunities. All my relations....MAJ