The reality of truth and reconciliation @ Jacobson native art

 

Good afternoon to each and everyone who continues to find me here @ Jacobson native art. Well as many of us know today is the first annual national truth and reconciliation day. Definitely another move in the right direction but a very small move it is. There is such a list of grievances against this nation called Canada. 

There are many agents who are guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity including the Catholic Church, many other Christian churches as well including many of the police forces as well as the RCMP. It’s absolutely disgusting on so many levels. How, (their rule of law was invented on stolen Indian land) when the white man says to follow the rule of law but they cannot follow it themselves. They choose to find ways to hide from their crimes, to bend the law, the rules and everything else they get their fuckin hands on, to their own advantage. It’s a real dr. Jeckel and mr. Hyde scenario. 

Canada and most Canadians simply cannot be fully trusted. Most Canadians are complete airheads when it comes to the history of how Canada came to be. (Even the white man in me knows this) How they got what they got....(stolen goods from stolen lands resources etc). Most Canadians dont even know how bad they got it. They are so colonized and assimilated that they literally can’t even think for themselves so they vote for white colonial so-called leaders to do the thinking for them.

And that is exactly the reason why Canada continues to fail miserably with us First Nations. Obviously there are tens of thousands of more reasons on top of that but the reality is Canada is a genocidal program built on the murder of us First Nations and the continual raping and exploitation of our resources. Our wealth. The colonial doctrine of discovery is a racist and discriminatory action against First Nations and other indigenous tribes throughout the world. 

Canadians whether they know it or not, their so called country is built on this foundation. Land theft, resource theft, murder, rape, stealing our children, racism, discrimination, hate, violence, force and control. Building your dreams as Canadians on the backs of oppression, on the very backs of us First Nations. That is what Canada is. That is what it means to identify as a Canadian. It’s gross I know. But this is the truth. And we cannot have true reconciliation until we deal with these matters of truth. 

I’ve always said since my awakening into my own process of decolonization and for the last few years now being in the pursuit of my sovereignty as Anishanabe that reconciliation will take time. In fact, the way I see it is that the cultural fabric of this country is still in the discovery of the truth phase. We have not even truly begun to deal with what real reconciliation will look like. 

Still even in the thickness of all of this, I must continue to remain hopeful. The fog of assimilation is beginning to lift albeit very slowly across our lands. I have friends who wouldn't be able to grasp any of this 5 years ago. They now can talk more openly with me about it. I see organizations and people beginning to stand up more and more with regard to how this must shift and change for all First Nations and Canadians alike. 

For now we will continue to move forward each and every day. I’m willing to seek this change and I’m willing to open up my heart to others who want to walk this path with us. I truly believe that it will remain a difficult challenge for Canada to learn how to shift and change with us. The government knows that they are in the wrong. Most of them know it. But greed, selfishness and exploitation still lead the way in the Canadian mind set. And let’s be honest, until our white settler brothers and sisters learn how to decolonize themselves, we are still a long long way from real and meaningful change. These types of Canadian settler sickness must be dealt with. It is the very poison that keeps the genocidal colonial machine still alive in this, the 21st century. 

Check out this 6 minute Video by one of the great First Nations teachers of our time: Arthur Manuel on aboriginal title:

All my relations, MAJ

Canadian art galleries and dealers who are “permanently black listed” @ Jacobson native art

Wishing all my friends and collectors and those of you who are new in discovering my art, a beautiful morning. I have been reflecting on my various experiences in the Canadian art world the last couple of days and I feel like it’s time to set the record straight on my dealings with many of these Canadian/colonial institutions. 

The levels of Colonialism, discrimination, racism, prejudice, class distinction, lies and deceptions and out right fraud is absolutely fuckin unbelievable. I’ve been in this business for over 35 years now. I’ve seen it all across these stolen lands. It’s despicable how many of these operations treat us First Nations. The greed, ego and outright selfishness is some of the ugliest shit I’ve seen from many of these galleries I’m going to list. 

This list is to educate my buyers and collectors on the pitfalls of dealing with these very galleries who in one form or another as labelled, have qualified to be permanently blacklisted. These are my honest and accurate accounts and experiences. Let’s get into the details:

#1: National gallery of Canada - Colonial institution founded on racism and genocide (I simply don’t give a shit about the national gallery)

#2: Kinsmen Robinson gallery - Scumbag pathetic liars who sold fake Morrisseau’s (Paul Robinson is a complete douche bag)

#3: Bearclaw gallery - sold fake Morrisseau’s, liars and cheating scumbags

#4: Eagle spirit gallery - Owner Rob Scott is a 2 bit hustler scumbag (sells fake Morrisseau’s)

#5: Donnachild fine art - sold fake Morrisseau’s, lied to many unsuspecting buyers, art fraud 

#6: Koyman galleries - sell fake Morrisseau’s (deceiving art buying public)

#7: Raven art Canada - Betrayed and sold out by owner John Zemanovich and wife

#8: Friends united - One 0f the worst experiences Ive ever had selling art to a client

#9: Norval Morrisseau estate - gross negligence, untrustworthy, very cold unstable energy

#10: Red kettle collectables - selling various waves of Norval Morrisseau fakes

#11: Black sheep gallery - sell fake Morrisseau’s with some real Morrisseau’s 

#12: Brights gallery - owner peter was warned about his fake Morrisseau’s, he continues to sell them right up to this very day

#13: Jim White distribution - one of the biggest distributors of fake Morrisseau’s, fake prints of fakes, major copyright Infringement, out right art fraud

#14: Bremner & Bremner fine art - currently sell fake Morrisseau’s 

#15: Ugo Matulic - fake Morrisseau art collector and dealer, a lying scumbag, a total piece of shit

#16: Several Canadian Museums and institutions - currently in possession of stolen property and cultural artifacts. Colonial framework still operational in this, the 21st century. It’s absolutely disturbing. Please do the right thing and give back our cultural property and wealth, thank you. 

So, there you have it at this point. Clearly I have had my issues with these various false entities who pretend that they represent the truth. Clearly, they do not. It takes a serious grievance and a series of let downs that are marked in deceptions, lies, selfishness and wronging me with disrespect that will finally break the camels back. Those who truly know me know that I have a very big heart. I’m willing to go to bat for many many different types of people out there. But if you fuck around? Guess what? You’ll find out...you won’t be around me, no more. My inner circle is vitally important to me. Sometimes thats what it takes to take care of yourself and your environment. 

All my relations, MAJ

Healing the souls of our children @ Jacobson native art

 Painting in progress...

Title of tripdych: Healing the souls of our children, Size of each canvas: 30 x 48 inches (total of 90 x 48 inches) 2021

Good evening to each and everyone and I wanted to send a big shout out to all of you who continue to share in the healing and support of the discoveries of our residential school children. This energy has been a heavy one for many across this country and around the world. The challenges are difficult and the emotional terrain not so easy to navigate. 

 The spiritual reality of this has had and continues to have a very deep and profound effect on me. I am a direct product of the genocide and abuses of residential schools and what Canada has tried to do in wiping out my family bloodlines as Anishanabe. I am a 60’s scoop survivor. I truly represent the seeds they couldn’t destroy. 

I am alive and I have a son who is also a seed they cannot destroy. We are the true spirit and life of the Anishanabe. We are stronger than ever and we will overcome. It is our destiny. We are masters at living in 2 worlds at the same time. It makes us very powerful. We will continue to thrive and move forward with a steadfast spirit honouring our ancestors, our children and ourselves.

I’m currently working on several paintings here in the studio. I am working on the above mentioned tripdych set titled: Healing the souls of our children. It has been very challenging to find the light of inspiration in such a dark energy with regard to the murder of our children. But this painting needs to happen. I must find their love, light and power and share this with the world. 

Their spirits are guiding me in this piece. It has been one of the hardest paintings I’ve ever had to make. To find this painting in a sea of darkness...that’s exactly how it has been. I will continue to find a way within to accomplish this feat...to honour them, the souls of our children for all generations...past, present and future. All my relations, MAJ

Proud to announce: Worldwide campaign “Honouring the residential school children” with Northcott fabrics & Jacobson native art

 

Good day to each and everyone. It is with great pride and love that I am truly honoured to announce my new Official worldwide campaign with Northcott fabrics and Jacobson native art. This new partnership and collaboration with regard to “Honouring the residential school children“ will be an initiative formed in the spirit of truth and reconciliation. We are releasing the collection: HEALING WATERS from 2022 to 2024.

This initiative is centred in love and healing for all the families and children effected by the residential schools tragedy. The whole reason for this release is to help find a way for First Nations, Canadians, Americans and those around the world to contribute to the solution of healing and well being for all involved. 

This campaign with the release of this collection “Healing waters” is specifically designed for quilters around the world. This is an opportunity for all of us to collaborate and work together. My goal is to see these chosen quilts to be offered to the families directly effected by these on going tragedies. 

We all have a role to share in the healing of the cultural fabric of this country. This campaign is designed to help bring us together. There was a time not so long ago during first contact between us First Nations and settlers where the “gifting of blankets” came from a place of love, care, warmth and comfort. 

Let us come together through the actions of these principles and share our gifts with those in need. Each selected quilt will be offered to a First Nations family directly effected. These quilts will obviously be donated to this cause. Your family name and created quilt will have an opportunity to be a part of this legacy. 

You will be remembered with respect and honour for sharing your love with such a deep and transformative cause. We can find the answers. We can work together and heal. It is our birthright to appreciate one another and to find meaningful ways of widening the circle between us. All of us. We all have something to bring to the table of brotherhood, sisterhood. We are the human family. 

More information will be presented over the next coming weeks. Please stay tuned to us here at: Jacobson native art. We’ll be working with Northcott on where to send the completed quilts for distribution in the next few weeks. We thank you with all of our hearts for wanting to participate and be a part of the solution. 

We each have a unique and special part to play in each others lives. Let’s see how far we can reach into one another and share the transformation and power of “HEALING WATERS”. Here is a link to my profile at Northcott fabrics. It will also be a source of staying current with this campaign. 

https://www.northcott.com/designers-detail.aspx?di=538

We are the solution we each have been searching for. The time for healing is now. We honour the past by learning from it, by making it better today. I truly and sincerely want to thank you all for sharing and participating in this opportunity. Together we can make the change we wanna see in our world. All my relations, MAJ

Exciting new partnership between Sea Gods and Jacobson native art

Title of painting: The spirit of White rock. Size: 24 x 48 inches, 2021

 Good afternoon to all those who continue to find me here @ Jacobson native art. I am feeling quite inspired by this new partnership between my art and Sea Gods, a paddle board company firmly established out of White Rock B.C. I wanted to expand my creative energy and relationship building capabilities under the umbrella of truth and reconciliation and this Initiative certainly fits that agenda, beautifully. 

I am obviously a massive supporter and lover of Mother Nature. She is such a source of inspiration. So it was really a no brainer to connect and create with both Ryan and Mandy of Sea Gods and to collaborate with one another on this new and exciting project. We all agree that the wisdom of healing and connection is with the power and forces of nature spirit. 

This opportunity will bring forth a wonderful and joyful connection for all involved. I am honoured and grateful that we have found a way to bring you First Nations art and culture and have tied this to the craft of paddle boarding. Both Ryan and Mandy are super happy and excited as well. 

This is the first time that Sea Gods has infused contemporary First Nations art into their portfolio. We wanted to collaborate on a theme that meant so much to them as well as myself. We chose the legend of white rock as our foundation. It is a beautiful love story filled with all the emotional power of going to any lengths for the one you love. 

This will be the first of many new designs that we will be embarking upon. To work together in these challenging times with regard to the reality of truth and reconciliation shows us that citizens can do it without government support. We must take the lead ourselves. We are the answer and these kinds of initiatives prove that it is really up to us to create these solutions, together. 

So with that I wanted to say thank you to each and everyone who continues to support my art and creative energy and relationships. I am super excited to be working in these challenging times putting together these kinds of opportunities for both First Nations and Canadians alike. I’ll leave you with this legend of white rock and the story of love and how the foundation of this first design came into being. Wishing you all the best as we continue to trudge the road of happy destiny. 

All my relations, MAJ 

LEGEND OF WHITE ROCK:

Here @ Jacobson native art we dance, we paint, we create

 Good day to each and everyone. Ive been back in the studio working on my commissions. The energy is moving and I’m feeling good about getting back into the art. I’m a huge music fan as well and enjoy working while listening to 2 to 5 hour DJ sets by some of the worlds best innovators in electronic music. 

Progressive house with thick base lines, snappy tribal beats with epic layers and layers intelligently put together inspire me greatly. My dad was an ol disco boy in the 1970s. For me I grew up dancing and loving music. It’s no wonder this style of music inspires me so greatly. I love dancing as well and like my father, I ruled a few dance floors in my day. 

Any how, enjoy this profound DJ set from Ben Bohmer. As he creates this set flying in a hot air balloon over Turkey...absolutely fuckin stunning. Wishing you all blessings and take care out there...all my relations, MAJ 

What decolonization looks like @ Jacobson native art

 Well, ever since the unfoldment of these discoveries regarding our children being murdered by Canada, the church and residential schools and other genocidal policies and actions towards us First Nations, it hasn’t been an easy process to navigate. My prayers of love and healing go out for the Ktunaxa nation with the recent discovery of those precious 182 souls. 

I’ve been feeling so betrayed by the lies of Canada. These are active crimes scenes we are all witnessing. Evidence of genocide and of crimes against humanity. As a First Nations soul I have to say that these are definitely the ugliest truths I’ve seen to date about how Canada and their agents of death, the Catholic Church etc have been trying to cover up their crimes for decades, for generations now.

An apology will not cut it. Sorry is not enough. Thoughts and prayers are not enough. Memorials are not enough. These criminals need to be held accountable. They talk about how they are a nation of laws? Well how about trying to follow them your own god damn selves. Disgusting is an understatement. Embarrassing a distant and far off wish. 

The hollow words of a nation unwilling to mourn and truly adjust their crimes of the past by surrendering your violence and control of us indigenous to our lands is a continuous unforgivable sin. How can anyone in their right minds expect truth and reconciliation in that? That has been the whole problem. Control. 

First off, fuck the idea of crown land. It’s bullshit. Read your history about the doctrine of discovery etc and then come to learn of the thousands of policies and laws created by the abuser and colonizer in Canada and you’ll come to understand why identifying as a Canadian is a real problem for so many of us, including myself. 

We are and always will remain a peaceful people. Canada only exists because of violence and control. It is a great liar and abuser of power. It’s ugly to me, really fuckin ugly. So yes, I’m not the type to wave the flag or celebrate Canada day. I dont celebrate any of the colonizers holidays. Not Christmas, not Halloween, not Easter, not any of that shit. It’s all lies any how. Jesus birthday wasn’t on dec. 25th...lol. Do your research and you’ll discover that as well. 

To me, all those holidays and such are really a combination of stolen themes and rituals from other nations. It’s a mixed bag of mumbo jumbo bullshit. Filled with heart break, expectations and resentments and such for not getting what you want. It’s kinda super weird if you put it all together and realize what a complete waste of time it all is. 

Every day is a day to celebrate family, friends and loved ones. There are dozens of beautiful and powerful real ceremonies that offer true connection and sincerity that are authentic practices of spirituality and these types of mystic gatherings. Keep it real and authentic. It’s missing in the world. I am a sovereign Anishanabe soul. I lead me. No one else does or speaks for me either. I represent myself and my cultural ties and teachings. 

I am a sacred creation who is authorized and empowered to represent my relationship to our Creator and creation, to Mother Earth and to each other. I am Anishanabe. I am the Living hope that my ancestors blessed me to be...I am Rainbow Thunderbird. All my relations....MAJ

Love and healing for these 751 souls of our children recently discovered @ Cowessess First Nations

 

Wishing each and everyone love and healing during this tragic and very difficult time. It has taken me a few days to try and process this new discovery of these most beautiful of our people, our children. This particular new finding of 751 bodies is beyond understanding. I can’t even reason it. It’s just so dark.

This tragedy hits home for us here @ Jacobson native art. The mother of our son is from Cowessess First Nations. This means that because we follow matriarchal way of our teachings my son is tied to Cowessess. This is his First Nation. Those children recently discovered would have been great aunties and uncles, cousins family members of both Kassondra and our boy Sagein Wisdom. 

We’ve had some time to cry for these children, these lost relationships with our family members. We will carry on for each and everyone of them. I painted with a new apprentice last night who is also Anishanabe.   Before he came, he placed an offering and spirit feast on behalf of our family for the lost children in Kamloops, for those precious 215. He is living up that way and made the trip to come and learn more about this art form and the spiritual powers and energies contained in the practice of it. 

Pictured above along with the candle lights of 751 is my son Sagein smudging with shell, white buffalo sage and an eagle feather. My son is 3 years old and he is such a powerful spirit. He is the strongest yet most gentle loving medicine  I have ever known...he has the power to move mountains. With a strong resilience and spirit of self determination, we Anishanabe will walk in love strength and pride for them, for ourselves and our loved ones. We are the seeds they couldnt kill...we will live on for them. For us...

All my relations....MAJ

Active crime scene in Canada regarding crimes against humanity and genocide, new discovery of 751 children’s bodies...

I am truly at a loss for words today. I am beyond shocked, and absolutely horrified by this new discovery today. I feel so numb that I just wanna be left alone today. I feel so uncomfortable about this. I can’t even wrap my mind around it it’s just that ugly, dark and horrifying what this country Canada and their churches (Vatican) including their agents (the RCMP) are guilty of. 

This is clear evidence of genocide and crimes against humanity. An apology from the pope would be a fuckin insult at this point. Those criminals need to be held accountable for their crimes. They are murderers. All of them. This whole thing is an active crime scene. 

I can’t really say anything more at this point. I just feel devastated. To all our familes and children: I love you. I stand with you. I’ll do everything I can to continue to speak truth to power. For now, I will rest and pray. 

Here is an article by an old friend of mine named Tamara. We used to go to ceremonies and gatherings and would meet up and spend deep spiritual time in our culture. Much respects for all her work towards telling the truth about genocide, colonialism and decolonization. Please read it, she is super smart and tells it like I do. With honesty as her weapon of choice:

https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/reckoning-with-genocide-and-the-denialism-of-the-canadian-state

So far this is now the new body count: 

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