anishinaabe

How I look at life; I take the good out of the good and take the good out of the bad...the latter is where I learn my greatest lessons...

                                                  I can`t control what people say or do but I can control what I say or do...

                                         I have always told people; Be happy for what you have, not for what you do not...

                                 You need to love yourself before you can ever love another, this is the true beauty of life...

                    Life and the human journey is about making mistakes, but to learn from those mistakes and move on...

Believe in your dreams, dreams do come true, you know why I know? All my dreams have come true, I am living my dreams of that five year old who only wanted to find happiness, I have. To become a artist, travel around the world, all this came true...aho

                                                               Photo by; Lichtwercke Photography, Möckmühl, Germany

When I started my art journey back in 1992, the elders/teachers, famous native artists in Canada told me. " Jim never sell out your soul and never sell out your culture " They were right...There was a "price to pay" when one makes this commitment but I can look into the mirror today and still feel in my heart, I have done it all in a good positive way...aho

I feel privileged to have had great native Canadian artists mentor me, it made a huge difference professionally in my art career. So in part, I felt I owed the same to the younger native artists and told my lessons I learnt. I always said honestly that I enjoyed my journey in my career. The only thing that I struggled with, was the business end, I was taught that commitment, honestly and integrity was key to my success. I told younger artists to never give up on thier dreams, that many will promise the moon and not keep thier promise. I went through an experience early in my art career, that almost made me quit. But after four days, I realized that no one or any disappointments that came my way would ever stop me living my dreams. I said this in a positive way with no ill will towards anyone but honesty is honesty and respect gets respect. I found out from special talks with good business people, that marketing, networking is half the battle and in the end every artist has to do this to be successful. That hard work, culturally proud, commitment and belief in yourself and your work as a storyteller is key...teachings from my elders. So mentoring our youth was natural as I was mentored by some of Canada`s greatest native artists, may they rest in peace...aho

                                                                                                      Spirit Dreamer...

Important notice; My wife Kathleen and I are self producing, editing all of my books, for publishing for the general public around the world. We will do one version in english and another version in german for the German/European market place. We will have product by the summer of 2024...

I have told children of all ages and adults of all ages to never stop to "believe in thier dreams". I used my own three decade plus art career journey as an example. I am in my early 70`s and am now starting a new journey as a First Nation author/poet/artist, to self produce my own books for the public. I have never stopped believing in my dreams, ever since I was a small child in foster care in Saskatchewan to grow up and be an artist...aho

For many decades I had hope to publish my first art book. My art has been used for book covers and for a number of native media advertizing magazines, programs, native business logo`s. So it is with great pride that I am doing a book of my art work,myself...It covers 80 art pieces with stories of my art work throughout my three decade art career and shows my growth and development, learning my craft.

Being dyslexic, I repeat myself alot but also reminding myself is a positive thing, so I never forget. I had great teachers, native elders and some of Canada`s greatest First Nation artists. To never sell my soul and never sell out our native culture, these two things are not for sale. I have not enough words to express my gratitude for thier wisdom and love and respect...

So it is with great pride to announce...Both my wife Kathleen and myself are in the development stage for self publishing of my books. For over three decades, I had hoped to find a publishing company that truly believed in me and my work. I worked professionally with four pubishing companies in my career, two non-native runned and two native runned and owned. After 32+ years in the business, I realized things do not always go the way one hopes for, that is the reality of the business world. I learnt life lessons I needed to learn. I have tried over the decades to mentor younger artists the same teaching that were given to me. To never give up on their dreams...Now editing my art book, children`s books, books of my poetry, to be produced in english and in german, made for the general public, on different floormats, e-book, paper form etc...stay tuned...

                                                                                                      "Full Circle..."

In my thirty plus art career, the foundation has  always been "Believe in your dreams...". To be a anishinaabe storyteller and speak on behalf of native children`s advocate...for those who have to tell their story or lost in the Welfare Scoop, especially for those that never made it home...I am one of the children taken and I have written a self biography of my life called  " Full Circle..." 

I am nearing the end but memories are coming back, those I had blocked. I am not alone within the native communities that our families have been distroyed with the fall out of residential school and welfare scoop. Generation after generation affected long after the last residential school was shut down in the late 1990`s. Us children who were taken by force and put into the welfare foster care in many non-native families where abuse happened, even death. The great sense of loss of connection to family that is broken in many situations, and with the cultural trauma it is impossible to fix or heal. Native people have long memories, I also have not forgot the lies, especially the mental /verbal abuse of those who I trusted or betrayed me. I am daily praying to write a positive story that is mine but it is also the stories of thousands of First Nation families throughout Canada...Our stories must be told in order for healing to begin...For the future generations and generations yet to be born...aho

To be published in the near future...

 This is the very first time I have mentioned this to the public, of the elders who are special to me, who took me under their wing. A anishinaabe elder mention to me that I needed say their names, to honor who they are, our knowledge Keepers of our culture. I have never done things on my own, out of respect, it was important to me. I have always needed conformation from a elder back home, before I did or said anything, this is why I feel good inside to mention them publicly now...The beautiful thing I love the most is, being spiritually connected to these elders, not only call them my friends...aho

                                                                                                        Spirit World...

I had been working throughout Germany/Europe for a couple of years and came home every year and return shortly to Europe. But in every school systems throughout Germany and Holland at the time, the children would always ask me my indian name. So I shared this with dear friend Rick Favel and he directed to elder Ken Goodwill of the Nakota Standing Buffalo Nation to receive my indian name. Ken told me to wait for four days and for me to call him, I did and he told me to wait four more days. When I called him he told me to come to him at the then Indian Federated College...when we met, I offered my elder tobacco and a print of Ghostdance in respect. He gave me my name and told me to go to land, tie ribbons and tobacco ties in a tree...to drum and sing and pray, to realize what did Hehaka-to-hoksina mean to me...When ever I did come home and saw my elder Ken Goodwill at the First Nation University of Canada pow-wow in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. I always waved and shook his hand. Ken Goodwill was always warm to me or would just nod his head and smile at me...

RIP and thank you for honoring me with my Nakota indian name, who I am...Hehaka-to-hoksina/Elk Blue Boy...aho

I first met Rick Favel many years ago when he was in the Indian Federated College, now known as the First Nation University of Canada in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Rick was from the Kawacatoose First Nation in Saskatchewan. We became tight friends right away, I knew Rick worked a lot as a helper in many sacred ceremonies and that he was a highly respected elder throughout the native community. Elder Rick Favel performed and took part in many traditional ceremonies for many decades...I was truly honored to have my friend Rick come to Germany in 1998 as a drummer/singer for my theatre play "Transformation..." that travel throughout Germany and also Vienna, Austria. We also did a dance workshop after each sold out performance, teaching adults the traditional meanings of the pow-wow dancing. Cree elder Rick Favel taught me about natural plant medicines around us all and also gave me the traditional colors of the Cree medicine wheel, that I painted for myself. Our friendship was 30+ years, Rick was always there for me, if I had a question or he felt that I needed to know knowledge of about something. I miss his friendship dearly...Rick worked for many years at the All Nations Healing Hospital, as a Knowledge Keeper in Fort Qu`Appelle, where he and his family also lived. With Rick`s sudden passing on May 25th, 2022, it is a truly deep loss for his inner family members, many friends in the native community and internationally. and to me as my dear friend and bro...

Hyi hyi Rick for your loyal friendship and being a teacher to me...Aho

I met and got to know Mike Piney through the pow-wow trail, Mike was a pow-wow announcer for four decades. Also through the Indian Federated College( First Nation University of Canada). He always had a warm smile and joke, with a twinkle in his eye. Mike Piney made a hand drum for me and I painted it and added eagle feathers to the drum; " Spirit of the people..." and it now hangs in The First Nations Gallery in The Royal Saskatchewan Museum, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Mike was a good friend and he is missed by all...aho

                                                                                        Traditional Dancer-Storyteller                        

I met Andy Delorme in the 1990`s, through his daughter Anne Delorme who has been a friend a long time in Vancouver. Andy is a respected elder/teacher on Cowessess res and both our families go back a long time. Anne would tell me stories how my uncle Frank Poitras would baby sit her and her sisters, with great effection always with a tears in her eyes...saying to me how much I looked like my uncle Frank. Andy one day taught me how to make kinnikinnick medicine used for the pipe from willow branches besides telling me a number of stories as well. One day Andy took an old metal army trunk from under his bed, showing me his regalia, from what I understood, this was not usual...he took out a hand pianted eagle`s head carved from a antler and gave it to me, as a gift. I held onto it for many years, finally realizing what I would use it for...my heyoka dancing/talking stick...I felt very fortunate to of known Andy Delorme, his teachings and that both our families had such a long history together...It is part of my personal private collection that I will donate after my passing to The Royal Saskatchewan Museum/First Nations Gallery`s archive collection, for our future generations of children/adults in Saskatchewan...aho

Elder Allan Zapp was a mentor to me, as a artist and traditional dancer, storyteller and the native prairie artist that I admired and respected the most, I know of many plains/prairie artists but Allen Zapp stands out for me. Allan Zapp was world renowned for his paintings of his youth, his memories of the past and of the day. Allan was known for his love and great pride of his beautiful red Cadillac. Allan was a kind and a very humble man, he use to affectionately call me; "Three Feathers" because I wore three eagle feathers in my hair when I first started my pow-wow journey. I made sure to often travel up to North Battleford, or reconnect with Allan at pow-wows. I liked to visit or introduce him to VIP`s I knew, And to proudly show them his museum where it held a lot of his body of art work, drums etc. Allan`s thing that made him the happiest, was to invite you to the local gas station restaurant for coffee and pie. Allan also invited me and I was given the honor to visit him in his private residence, I was surprised it was a very humble home. But for Allan, proudly took complete joy showing me his painting room...As I mentioned, I was very honored to take Dr. Sonja Schierle-curator of the Native Department that is part of the Linden Museum artifact collection in Stuttgart, Germany, whom I had a working relationship for a decade. Allan then took one of his drums off the wall and sang proudly for us, without notice handed me the drum and he said for me to sing. When a elder says something, you never question it and just do it. This was the very first time I had ever sang and drummed in public. Allan, he then started to giggle and said "Oh, Jim you can sing also", with that million dollar grin he had. Another time he asked to visit with him when he was visiting the Assiniboia Art Gallery in Regina, Saskatchewan. Then without any notice he told the gallery owners; "You really need to see this man`s art work"...the Assiniboia Art Gallery ended up representing me and art work for ten years...aho

Thank you dear Allan for your friendship, guidance and stories, whether through your art or your storytelling. RIP...

I loved the T.V. show "North of 60" and Gordon was one of the main characters, it was how real life on the res is, in reality. Native people loved it and it was a educational show for non-natives, the reality of reservation life. Interesting Gordon and I met, mostly in airports...traveling to do what we do...he he he. We became instant friends and I would laugh and tell him how people thought I was him, both our long white hair pulled back, we both got a giggle about that and joked how good looking we were he he he he. I was well aware of who Gordon was, not just as a well respected canadian native film or television actor. But more for his love of the culture, the deep love for the pow-wow trail and ceremonies. He was very well known on the pow-wow trail for his singing and drumming and his traditional ceremony ways. I held a deep respect towards Gordon, he was very friendly and a very open human being. He had even asked of I would do a portrait of him for his private home but sadly he past away before I could do this for him and his family...

RIP...Gordon, happy out paths crossed my friend...aho

I first met Ray Thunderchild of the Thunderchild Reservation in Saskatchewan, at pow-wows in Vancouver. Ray was a singer and drummer of the Thunderchild drum group and I danced many times to their drum music. Ray was a huge man in stature. with a even bigger heart and is called with affection by most, Big Foot. Ray and I hit it off big time, right away, I asked my friend elder Ray Thunderchild for him come to do the opening prayer and drum/sing and Ray also blessed the food, for my very first art exhibition in Gastown, in Vancouver, B.C. Elder Ray Thunderschild also asked me to come and work for him in a safe house for the native youth, to work with the native youth, which was a great honor for me. Ray also has had a very successful T.V. series, movie career. Ray is dearly loved and respected by all in Vancouver and lower mainland of Vancouver region and also throughout indian land.

Hyi hyi for being such a good friend and teacher my friend...aho

I met elder Evelyn Locker of the Blackfoot Nation from Alberta, at pow-wows on the West Coast of British Columbia first in the beginning of our friendship. Evelyln was a highly respected Golden Age Traditional Woman Dancer. She worked at Indian Affairs in Vancouver, where I use to go there to sell my art work, Evelyn bought a number of my pieces, and we became great friends and talked for many hours of many different things in her life as me in mine. Through this friendship I sold many art pieces to Indian Affairs, I would start from the top of the high rise and go threw to the main floor(when this still possible he he he). Only many years later while surfing the internet I realized to my amazement that some of my art works were in the Indian and Northern Affairs museum in Ottawa, Canada. Evelyn was one of the elders I asked to do a opening prayer for me at a gathering for a native children`s welfare organization in Vancouver. I painted a special art piece "Shattered Dreams-healing the children..." for fund raising for their christmas party for the kids. Elder Evelyn Locker really was of the most gentlest souls I have ever met...aho

Hyi hyi...I owe a lot to this woman elder and dear friend...I will remember Evelyn with affection...

I knew that elder Elijah Harper was coming to a native run drop in center to speak on Hastings Street in East Vancouver, British Columbia. He was a humble man and was the former chief of the Ojibwa-Cree Red Sucker Lake band, In Manitoba, Canada. Elijah Harper was sitting in the Manitoba legislature in the early 1990`s, and later in the federal government of Canada, by simply holding a eagle feather, and he alone stopped what was known at the time as the Meech Lake Accord in Quebec. He is famous for standing up for the native`s rights, from losing land and from flooding from a major project in Quebec, Canada. Elijah Harper was and is still greatly admired by many native people across Canada, as well as myself. So, I made sure that I went and met with Elijah and gave him as a gift, a 1992 limited edition print of Spirit Dreamer. I told Elijah why and that I had so much respect for what he did for the people, He gently smiled at me and shook my hand, thanking me for my gift of respect. I respectfully walked away because I knew he had a very busy day, with the media etc...

It was a great honor to meet and give this gift of respect to elder Elijah Harper...aho

I appreciated Art`s friendship and his totally wicked sense of humor, so we spent a lot of time laughing together about life or joking with each other. Art was one of the first well known West Coast artist to speak in public of his past experience within the residential school system on the West Coast. I have met and had many West Coast artists as friends over the decades...but elder/artist/craver Art Thompson made the greatest impression on me as a artist-storyteller. And what a true friendship truly is meant to be. But the thing I loved most about Art, it was his humility for being so famous, yet still a humble man. This was one of the very special connections we had, Art knew that I was speaking long before it was known in the media or general public, about us native children stolen and forced into the welfare system. Known now as the Welfare Scoop, so with this powerful connection between two native brothers...we both agreed to do a special art piece together. In time we would find a special sacred place for it to hang, for the people. But, Art being the man he was, kept his cancer from me and sadly he past away...

I still often think of Art Thompson today and the memories fills my heart, with the deep the respect and affection I hold for my dear friend and native brother, Art Thompson...We will meet again bro...aho

www.bclearningnetwork.com  2016 I was asked permission to use my poem "Listen to my drum weep..", to be used in poetry and history classes throughout British Columbia and Yukon, Canada...Words can not express my pride and makes me realize, in my 30+ years of total commitment of my art career, has been worth it...And that my work is appreciated by the education system, back home in Canada...❤

                                                                                      ” Listen to my drum weep…”

                                                                            As I beat and gently sing, a honor song,

                                                                            Of days gone of the past, of all the wrongs…

                                                                            Children, family and culture, forever lost,

                                                                            All for the land, the riches, done at all cost…

                                                                            I sing of lost love, so many lost empty years,

                                                                            Not of anger but grief, a silent river of tears…

                                                                            I cry for the elders ,our men, our women,

                                                                            All those parents, relatives, not forgotten…

                                                                           The beat of mother earth, the sacred drum,

                                                                           Beats for the hundreds of millions, I am one…

                                                                           From creator, ancestors and all living things,

                                                                           The healing, begins and comes, deep within…

                                                                           So to all my relations, today, past and future,

                                                                           Listen to my drum weep, to honor, to endure…

                                                                                                  All My Relations…

                                                                                                  Memories...

I remember how well I was treated by the Coast Salish people when I first came to Victoria, on Vancouver Island, Canada. My first instinks were to go to the Victoria native Friendship Center,a place I knew I would feel safe as a native person in a new city. I did my first showing of my art and crafts there in the old Friendship Center in downtown Victoria. I was sitting alone there with my art, dream catchers etc. when a old elder walked up to my table, welcomed me to the island and gave me a eagle feather...what a truly beautiful way to be excepted by the people. I knew in my heart I had to return the favor, it took a few years. One day I was walking along the ocean sea coast behind James Bay in Victoria and I found a beautiful eagle feather laying amoung the rocks on the beach. I knew this was to the elder`s gift in return and he was very happy to recieve it. I also asked him to be the sitting elder for a tradional pow-wow we held in The James Bay Day for two years. For me this was my gift to the people of this terriory to be able dance on thier traditional home and territory...aho

The center became my second home so to speak. In time I was asked to run for the Board of Directors and to my great surprise, I was elected. As time went on, I grew closer and closer to the local people and the calm energy of Victoria back in those days. I became great friends with the then president of the Friendship Center, elder George Cook. There was a lot of unrest in the community but it was also across Canada in Indian Land. Elder Cook was defeated and the center was left with no president and social and political choas was every where. I was asked if I would run, I told the board under one condition, that each board member backed me 100%. I ended up as president, being dyslexic I had to learn how to become a "paper person" fast. I had to read every piece of legal document that past my desk and understand the by-laws of the Friendship Center. Lets just say, I learnt a lot while I was there, I saw both sides, good and bad of greed and power. But I also learnt some excellent knowledge of the history of the island. made many friendships throughout the city and community and of the region. I also traveled throughout Western Canada as President of the center, sharing with other Friendship Centers in Western Canada, what we were all going through and trying to change. I also lived on the Songees res for awhile and I was welcomed there, I knew many who lived on the res. Another excellent memory was I was part of a healing march in Victoria, I was asked my the local T.V. station what I thought of the day. I was going to go to a tradtional pow-wow up island that I never danced at but felt it was my responcibility to be with the people instead. Later a elder came to me after we went to the Longhouse on Songees resservation within Victoria city limits. He offered me tobacco and asked me if I would speak on behalf of native children from the island who were in foster care. I was very well known for always talking about this social issue of native children that were part of the Welfare Scoop throughout Canada. I spoke to over two hundred welfare workers, the regional director and the Assistant Minister for Welfare of the British Columbia government. I spoke from my heart of all the pain, sense of loss, trauma and more being a native child in non-native foster care. It was a great honor to speak on behalf of the native children on Vancouver Island taken. Afterwards all us native speakers were given a sacred blanket and the people came down to shake our hands. Many welfare workers had tears in thier eyes, thanking me for my honest talk. My reply to all of them was simple; " Thankyou, maybe now you can heal" (Because they were part of the problem). A true story...

This was in the mid 1990`s and I did not see it coming...My wall of protection came crashing down. I was already well into my healing journey, one day I was in sharing with one of our workers at the Friendship center how I was feeling. I remember reaching out my hand and told her; "Funny this is the first time that I am reaching out for help!" It was truning point in my life, before I knew it, I was sent to the Native Healing Center, Tsow- Tun Le Lum Society up island. My life came to a sudden halt and my healing journey began, forty plus years of silence, ended...

I spent six weeks/two terms, dealing with my trauma as a native child in non-native foster care system in Saskatchewan. I was abused both by men and women, sexual/physical and mental abuse but I was in the right place to heal. It saved my life actually. I want to thank all those who took the time to support me and allow me to go truly on my healing journey...

I have not one regret of this journey, it made the man I am today and I have only fond memories and times on the island and the people. I have never shared this to the public but as a author/poet, I am now writing my memoirs to show my respect and love for all who were on my journey on the island...aho

                                                          Reconciliation not assimilation, action speaks louder than words...

Great thing about living in Europe, I get to look in from the outside,in...with a different clear view and perspective. I believe that I am not a political junkie or radical, I am a native storyteller only, for the culture and positive change for our future. My personal opinion the words " indigenous or indigeneity " are insulting for me as a anishinaabe person for Canada/North America/Turtle Island...

Every few decades the system changes what they call our First Nation peoples, the system has status, non-status, metis/mix bloods, Inuit. Divide and conquer systemic mentality. I believe it is political, so legal claims will be tied up for decades in the courts. I found the meaning of; the word “indigeneity” via the internet it has deep historical roots in European religious, philosophical, and political thought. It is derived from the Late Latin word “indigenus,” which means “native” and modifies the place of origin of a living organism (animal or vegetable). In its noun form, however, “indigeneity” refers exclusively to specific groups of human beings, who, by virtue of their origin, lay claim to certain rights. According to the philosopher Jeremy Waldron, indigeneity identifies descendants of the first human inhabitants of a particular land, or the descendants of people who were living there at the time of European contact. I find the internet, one can most any information you seek. I personally really do not like the word indigenous, I am not a plant...Seems like every few decades, what the system calls us...changes...

The wheels of change move far too slow, with politics getting in the way. Excuses, studies, promises, native people have heard these words since confederation. With reconciliation comes compensation, not millions or billions but much more, to heal and fix all that is broken or lost. Rebuild the leadership infastructure, health care, housing, native run business, education/schools. Make better lives, land rights restored, natural resourses truly shared. Our elders say, this is not for us, but for our children, their children and for the future generations yet to be born...aho

Spirit Dreamer represents me, over looking the Qu`Appelle Valley in Southern Saskatchewan, Canada. The rider represents me, looking into the future...This was my first limited edition in 1992, that opened up all the art doors for me. And it would change my life forever and for the best. This is the region is where my family bloodline comes from...aho

                                                                                           "I have always believed..."

                                                          Since birth, stolen childhood, abused or criticized and deceived,

                                                          Age of five, searched only for happiness, I have always believed...

                                                          Systemic racism stole my family, lost culture, a life of discontent,

                                                          Childhood stolen, I felt so alone, grew angry, full of resentment...

                                                          My heart was broken, trust eluded me, and almost lost all hope,

                                                          It took a life time, hiding or living a lie, in order for me to cope...

                                                          That inner fire, flickered but never went out, fire full of passion,

                                                          Always searched, never gave up hope, for love or transformation...

                                                          My memories are of laughter, moments of joy, discover love of lust,

                                                          Special moments of time, were are all mine, to believe and to trust...

                                                          What I knew deep inside, was my healing device, I have to concede,

                                                          No one could take away, were my memories, I have always believed...

                                                                                                 It is my reality...❤

                                                                    John and I both thought the same at five years of age...

                                                              " Transformation..." was a healing vision I painted back in 1995...

The tee pees on the left wing represent of ancient times, The buildings in the center represent, modern times, the tee pees on the right wing represent; how we are going back to the old ways to get re-grounded...The eagle is carrying the weight of the people and Mother Earth, the tear is a tear of pain and joy, because I am on my healing journey. The red circle represents Mother Earth and the people. The yellow back ground represents healing...

                                                                                               ( ... represents infinity )

                                                              For the next generations of our children, they are our future...

    As a anishinaabe artist, I try to paint positive images of our culture, from the past/present/future...Here are a few examples...

When I began to write my poems, I wrote them down on paper. Then I discover "spell check" on my laptop and my world changed, a sense of freedom. Why, because I am a hard dyslexic. I put letters where they do not belong, what I think in my ears/sound is what I go by. So it made my writing so much less stressful and much more freedom of expression...Only other dyslexic people will truly understand this. As a small child, I was called lazy, stupid and even mentally handicap, I kid you not. As a adult some would tease me but by then I knew when was ok or not, enough said. But the moral of my story is, I love to write my poems and perhaps I will even write a book or two before this journey is over. Time will only time tell and when the time is right. What started it all, my first poem published in a magazine in the mid 1990`s..."Little Jimmy..." This poem is for all children(girls and boys)who have suffered abuse of any kind...The last verse is the key to my poem...

                                                           My first published poem for a magazine, back in the mid 1990`s...

I was asked to paint a art piece; "Shattered Dreams-Healing the children..." to help to fund raise for native children in care. It was for a First Nation`s Vancouver organization of native children in foster care, christmas party. For me as a survivor of the Welfare Scoop legacy, it was my honor and I truly felt heard for the very first time as a native artist. I show only me, my parents, grandparents but a elder told he saw 13 stories within the piece...The healing journey continues...

                       I dedicate it to all of our children who were or are in the foster care system, past, present and future...❤

                                                                                              " To be whole agian..."

                                                        A elder said, healing is a jounrey not a destination, I was once told,

                                                        I understood only because, I started my healing journey, long ago...

                                                        From a frighten little boy, angry young man, to being whole agian,

                                                        Decades of confusion, not trusting, feeling alone, feeling my pain...

                                                        I tried to drown my thoughts in alcohol and drugs, cycle of abuse,

                                                        Full with anger, not knowing who to trust, deep feeling of no use...

                                                       Until I looked inside, deep within, teachings of anishinaabe culture,

                                                       Learning the medicine wheel of life, elders wisdom, a love so pure...

                                                       So I have walked my road of redemption, able to love myself agian,

                                                       Native pride, of who I am, where I come from, find my destination...

                                                       We all belong, we all matter, age has no borders, endless it seems,

                                                       For those who never made it home, apart of a family, truly means...

                                                       To leave the past in the past but not forgotten, a beautiful healing,

                                                       To be whole agian, to feel appreciation of all, is a beautiful feeling...

                                                                                                              aho...❤

                                   I always feel the spiritual energy when ever I go into the valley...I feel at home there...

                     You may be able to take the indian off the land but you can`t take the land`s spirit out of the indian...❤

         I have often said in public; "All the history books have to be rewritten, true history does not lie, education is the key...

I was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, my blood family comes from Lebret and surrounding reservations in the Fort Qu`Apelle region in Southern Saskatchewan. One day in the future, I will bring my german wife Kathleen Poitras, to visit and see where I grew up and witness what she is now part of...a legacy of a proud people and strong blood lines, that she also can be proud of...

I met over 60+ members of my blood family from the Qu`Appelle Valley region, during Treaty 4, from Lebret and the surrounding reservations, in Regina also. It was very difficult situation to search as my family papers were sealed by canadian law. But through hard work, talking to elders, I realized that my great grand father, Pierre Poitras (sitting third of the right of Louis Riel) was in the inner circle of Louis Riel during the Louis Riel Rebellion. My grand father, Zachraia Poitras, he was a bricklayer and helped build the church in Lebret (I was also working in masonry for many years in my younger days). Plus finding out about other spiritual people throughout the Poitras lineage, So the blood line is strong, I feel my ancestors every time I go into the valley...It is a beautiful grounding/spiritual healing feeling for me...My family has a family pole named after the Poitras family and I donated my art to the museum many years ago... 

I was asked by Perry Bellegarde who was then on the File Hills Qu`Appelle Tribal Council to paint a special art piece for Treaty 4 celebrations, it was of a vision called; "Treaty 4 Gathering..." I painted it to commemorate this important gathering. I was given a beautiful pendleton blanket at the pow-wow, that proudly hangs on the wall in my home.

The other painting I donated to the elders of the Treaty 4 Building, in Fort Qu`Appelle called; "Buffalo Hunt..."

                                                                 Treaty 4 Building, Fort QuÀpelle, Saskatchewan, Canada

                        Donated for Treaty 4 Gathering                                                                    Donated to Elders of Treaty 4

                                                                                     First Nation University of Canada...

                    I am proud that two of my paintings hang in the university, "Transformation..." and " Healing the children..."

I call this my "wall of honor...", where my most sacred and most precious photo`s/memories of my family and loved ones are there for me to see each and every day...my reminder just how blessed and rich I truly am...My latest edition, my wife Kathleen, hand beaded "Transformation..." on a 30cm x 100cm canvas and framed it herself...aho

In the native culture, many families are broken forever from the systemic racism system throughout Canada...the generational stolen children, it is just a fact and reality. I am only one of the hundreds of thousands of First Nation families impacted across Canada, sadly even to this day...

                                                                         " Shattered Dreams-Healing the children..."

I was asked to paint a art piece in 2000, to help raise money for the native children in foster care in the lower mainland of Vancouver. It was to raise money for the native children, christmas party. "Shattered Dreams...shows how the residential school/Welfare Scoop, the thousands of stolen native children, what it did to me and all our native families...It destroyed my own personal family, that I will never get back, a reality I have learnt to live with. You can learn to forgive but you will never forget...

                                                                                        "Only in my imagination..."

                                                                      Is never a day, I do not think, what I have lost,

                                                                      Taken away, many generations, at a high cost...

                                                                      Only in my imagination, I can only imagine, why,

                                                                      Tears of loss, tears of pain, my lonely inner cry...

                                                                      If you have not experienced, this deep trauma,

                                                                      The loss of a loving father, a dear sweet mama...

                                                                      Only in my imagination, I dream what might be,

                                                                      Feeling that deep love, that was meant for me...

                                                                      I feel my mother`s love, in my silent moments,

                                                                      She warms my heart, a faint memory of content...

                                                                     Only in my imagination, that is all I have, to keep,

                                                                     Alone in my mind forever, so I silently do weep...

                                                                     Having brothers and sisters, being a real family,

                                                                     I`ll never know, only feel the huge loss so deeply...

                                                                                        Only in my imagination...

                                                                                                    A healing story...

When I was in foster care around 13 years. In the mid 1960`s I was told that my birth mother, Nora Poitras was in the hospital, very ill. That perhaps I should go, I didn`t, I was dead inside of any emotions or feelings. Today Oct. 1st I marked my mother day when she past in 1982...that is when it hit me! My mother died years after when I was 30 years old! So I felt this heavy guilt that I didn`t go, thinking she had past then. In the early 1990`s I found my mother`s unmarked paupers grave privately, I asked for her forgiveness. That I found out the hell she went through with the residential school in Lebret, thinking she didn`t love me, she did...I had a small metal sign, with her name typed on paper placed on her grave, the caretaker was so kind to me and said that a winters storm would take it away. I still regret not going to her, perhaps finding out who my father was, our family story. But the true healing is that I do not have to feel that guilt anymore, thinking she past away. In my Golden Age it is healing and my love and respect for my mother is forever there...RIP mother...

My sweet wife, Kathleen Poitras, she blended two photos together, to make it look like my mother was holding me. So, I get to talk to her daily and have another photo by my bedside also. This image means the world to me, I have never stopped loving her or missing my mother, I feel her love and energy...aho

                                                                              Dedicated to my mother, Nora Poitras...

                                                                                1928-1982 Nov. 16th-54 years old...RIP

                                                                                          " Feel your love, always..."

 "

                                                               We had no choice, the welfare scoop, we both had to pay,

                                                               Lost family ties and broken, reality, I feel your love always...

                                                               The residential school stole you and many family members,

                                                               From my grandparents, many generations, we remember...

                                                               All I have left, a picture of you, tell you I love and miss you,

                                                               To let you know your boy is well and happy, this I always do...

                                                               Feel your love, always, warms my heart and soul, it remains,

                                                               Our spirits will meet one day mother, reunited once again...

                                                               So dear sweet mother, you are not forgotten, I do thank you,

                                                               For giving birth to me, for my memories, to feel your love too...

                                                               I am never alone, your spirit lives within me, dearest mother,

                                                               Feeling your love always, grateful you live within me forever...

                                                                                                  Till me meet again... ❤

                                                                                             Some examples of my designs...

Over my art career, I have been asked to design a number of, promotional posters, education designs, company logo`s, tattoo`s, CD covers, book covers, magazine covers, calendar covers, art cards designs. art commissions. It is very rewarding to see your designs and paintings used for the general public and that people appreciate your work...

                                                                                           Growing old gracefully... 

It is considered to start a career at this age of 40, it is not possible, it is too late in life. Well I proved that myth wrong...As a small child, I dreamt of traveling around the world as a artist, that became my reality. I am a self taught artist, the gift was already there as a small child. I had great teachers, elders, other famous native artists and people in the art/gallery business, teaching me the do`s and don`ts in the art world. I was a good student and a quick learner. The passion was always there, so I only needed to feed it. Early in my art career in 1992, I realized the world was mine to discover, but little did I realize just how true this really was...

I would paint pieces, take a bus or hitch hike from town to town, city to city. I would always offer tobacco to elders when I met went into a native communities/Friendship Centre. I also hand made medicine bags, dream catchers, mandela`s, medicine wheels and smudged every piece. without thinking...I displayed at pow wow`s, native spiritual gatherings, spoke or helped when ever I was asked... 

This how I got well known in the native art world...by hard work, dedication, commitment and the belief in myself and my work, always following my dreams. But the one thing I had buckets of is...PASSION...Because three decades later, I am still doing what I love most...my art/poems...

Even though I am in semi retirement, I will go and speak as a storyteller, when asked...

For over two decades now, I have lived/worked mainly in Germany but also traveled throughout Europe to many countries, as a anishinaabe storyteller/artist/dancer from Canada.

I am not the same man who first came to Europe in 1998 at all...Here in Europe, I have found my inner happiness on many levels...

Because of my age of 70+ years old, I have slowed down a lot, but continue to paint, write my poems, write and produce books and willing to speak at gatherings, universities, museums when asked...My art has allowed me to live my childhood dreams...that have come true! This is my message to our children and any child...Believe in your Dreams...Age is only a number, the fire within and passion is the key to your own happiness...aho

Another story, not many do not know is...I lived in Vancouver/Victoria for decades. I was visiting Saskatchewan, doing a art show for the student union, what was then known as The Indian Confederated College(now called The First Nation University of Canada). And I received a phone call to go to the Legislative Building. I tend to keep my commitments but I soon realized what just what had happened. I then left my show and went straight to the Saskatchewan Legislative Building in Regina. Inside, I was told to go where the political leaders make decisions in the chamber, I was asked to stand up in the public gallery, and introduced by the Honourable Legislature Repersentive Carol Carson, to the legislative body. My government was welcoming me back home and talk about my history with the Royal Saskatchewan Museum. As it is said..."My life flashed before my eyes..." It was a humbling situation and only filled me with pride. A great honor was given to me...

                                                      Saskatchewan Legislative Building, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

"Spirit of the people..." a drum, I painted and gave as a gift to The Royal Saskatchewan Museum/First Nation Gallery, in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. It was the first museum in Canada to reconknowledge me. I was invited to the grand opening and was allowed to take part in the grand entry. Afterwards, the curator, Margret Hanna came to me and said; "Jim, go inside the First Nation Gallery and pick the place where you want your drum to be displayed..." This was another great honor that was given to me by my province of Saskatchewan, Canada, where I was born...

In native culture, gift giving and trading is a way of life and part of our culture. The drum was made by elder Mike Pinay (past), elder, a pow-wow announcer for 40 years, The eagle feathers were given to me as well. I painted it (a vision) and donated/gift to the First Nation Gallery collection of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum...My spirit will live here forever...aho

I also painted and donated "Healing the people.." and is now part of the museum art collection...The woman and man dancers are for healing the people, the red dots represent the many lives lost, I also used real feathers to represent the spirits of our ancestors...Full circle...

It gives me great pride and humiltiy to announce that, later this afternoon on April 19th, 2023. I will have a Zoom call with the Indigenous Curator of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum/First Nation Gallery in Regina , Saskatchewan, Canada. We are to begin the process of donating all of my personal sacred items, paper work, records etc for the museum`s archive collection, for the future generations after my passing. It warms my heart to know my personal artifacts, pipe, sacred items will be kept safe, after I am gone. I knew this museum was the right one to donate my things to, being they were the first museum in Canada to reconize me as a native artist very early in my art career. My drum hangs in the First Nation Gallery and my paintings are kept in thier art collection. What makes it even more special to me, is because Saskatchewan is where I was born and raised and that the museum are thrilled I selected them...aho ❤

                                                                                           Moose Jaw Cultural Center

A dear friend, Gary Hyland, may he RIP...Gary Hyland was a highly respected poet and loved his community, organizing many events. Gary, his wife and a board member came to me in Regina to meet me. I was visiting from my home Victoria, on Vancouver Island. Gary was the main person who dreamt of doing the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre. Gary was only half way explaining why he wanted me, as a native person who was born in Moose Jaw...I stopped him and said; "Gary, you got me" !  Thank you Gary, for being such a good friend to me and asking me to play a small role of the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre, becoming a reality...

I was invited to opening gala as a VIP, something I am very proud of and will be a wonderful life time memory. As I being a native child in foster care in this region, who had done well, what respect he and the board committee gave me...

                                                                            Part of my healing journey, honouring the past...

I was invited to a pow-wow in 2013 in Moose Jaw, the theme was "Honoring Residential Survivors Pow-Wow". Being born in Moose Jaw, I was honored to dance in this pow-wow, though still living in Europe. I was asked and took part in the grand entry, carrying the First Nation University of Canada eagle staff. I soon realized that this was the sacred eagle staff a elder gave to me, who lived on Vancouver Island. A few years later, I in turn gave it to a elder friend of mine, Rick Favel from Saskatchewan, he gave it to the First Nation University of Canada in Regina, Saskatchewan....it came full circle...I danced as a Golden Age man`s traditional dancer in memory of my mother, Nora Poitras and other family members who were in Lebret`s residential school. At the end of the pow-wow, I was given a huge sacred star blanket because I came all the way from Germany...it brought tears to my eyes...

                                                             My beautiful huge star blanket hangs proudly in our home...

Both 1/2 MP`s of White Buffalo Calf Woman and Ghostdance are in Canada`s National Museum, in Hull, Quebec...The original of Ghostdance is in the Akta Lakota Museum, in South Dakota, USA...not far from Wounded Knee...The original of White Buffalo Calf Woman, I gave as a gift to elder woman teacher of mine...I dedicated my work in the Poitras family name...

This one hour documentary was made in 2004 of my art career and travels in both in Canada and Germany. It is the story of my life, over coming and making my dreams of a small child to become reality. It tells of my youth and my art career, of people I met and worked with in Canada, also my work in Germany. I went to Cannes France where my documentary was being displayed at MIT. This was a pre-Cannes Film festival event for directors/documentaries from around the world. I am porud of this fact.

It is now used in the education system...My art has been very good to me on every level and I have received far more than I could dreamed for...hard work, commitment, believing in myself and never giving up, was the key to my success. I have tried to mentor many younger native artists, and native children to follow their dreams...I am excited not knowing what is comes from around the next corner ! So I tell all children to go for it, no matter what their dreams are and with hard work, commitment, is where lay the true rewards and dreams do come true!