Even in 70`s, I truly realize my journey is far from over. Perhaps even beginning in many respects of new unknown experiences, new dreams to discovery, new uncharted waters...

Throughout my art career and travels, my message to kids and adults alike...never stop dreaming, just go for it, with no regrets...

                                                                                                "You touched my soul..."

                                                                 You touched my soul, without laying a hand on my body,

                                                                 Felt like magic, from another level, that no one could see...

                                                                 Tender look, gentle eyes, that saw completely through me,

                                                                 You touch my soul so deeply, felt like velvet, so tenderly...

                                                                 When I close my eyes, I see only you, just so you know,

                                                                 Two lost souls in the deep blue sea, you touched my soul...

                                                                 So now you know my secret, is just between you and me,

                                                                 You touched my soul, thank you so much, was meant to be...

                                                                 No more words need to be said, is just between you and me,

                                                                 No rules to be broken or spoken, my promise to you sincerely...

                                                                                              You touched my soul...❤

                                                                                                  March 26th, 2023

   Nelson Bird and I first met back in 1998, in front of The Royal Saskatchewan Museum, he interviewed me for "Indigenous Circle" of Regina CTV network. I was performing my theater play "Transformation...", that I co-wrote and co-produced. The story of my life within the foster care system in Saskatchewan, how it completely destroyed my family and my life but. it also told how I over came it all and healed my past of trauma. How with hard work, commitment that I then went onto having a happy successful art career as a First Nation artist /painter, storyteller, performer, writer/poet/author. Nelson interview me agian and the segment will air on Indigenous Circle, March 26, 2023, 6pm Regina time. Amazing that 25 years later Nelson and I come full circle !

   Even at the age of 70, I am now starting writing of my own books with a native owned and run publisher, Goodminds Publishing out of Brampton, Ontario, Canada. Even after 25 years, Nelson and I reconnected agian, I thank Nelson Bird for his friendship and mutual respect as native people from Saskatchewan, Canada. I am proud and humbled at the same time, it is a message for all of our First Nation children every where, that they too can follow and also to believe in their dreams...to become a reality also...aho

                                                                                              "Believe in your Dreams..."

                                                                                            "You can`t be replaced..."

                                                            You don`t miss it until it`s gone, then it is too late, what a waste,

                                                            That special person, pet, loved one, realizing it can´t be replaced...

                                                            Too little too late, too late to regret, words that we can`t take back,

                                                            That hug we missed or a kiss good night or hello, or even to react...

                                                            Not take that leap of faith, in fear of the unknown, live with regret,

                                                            Not feeling the sense of freedom, we all own, making that mistake...

                                                            Saying that I love you, before it is too late,  regreting your chance,

                                                            Loss of a great friendship, loss of trust, honest chance at romance...

                                                            Forgetting to say, always I respect you and admire all that you do,

                                                            That you can`t be replaced, so remember my love, I really love you... 

                                                                                           You can`t be replaced...❤

I spent my whole life searching for truth...I tried different religions and spiritual ways, even atheist thinking, that was the most dangerous game I played ! It was not until I truned to anishinaabe traditional teachings that have been past down for thousands of years. I then began to understood what respect, humility, honesty meant. Never to question a wise elder, or the spirit of the creator. It was my responcibility to stay open, to learn. what is my truth...The medicine wheel is where the oral teachings are, it was the first time in my life that I ever saw or felt purity in it`s purest form...aho

That was when I could truly go freely on my personal healing/learning/spiritual journey...aho

                                                                                               "My Spirit goes Home..."

                                                        My journey has been long and rewarding, sometimes feeling alone,

                                                        Missing prairie`s sweetgrass plains aroma, so my spirit goes home...

                                                        Remember, was not running away, I was running to, a better future,

                                                        Healing is a journey, not a destination, a teaching for me, very clear...

                                                        To walk while in prayer, feel ancestors spirits, throughout the valley,

                                                        Welcome me back home, memories never forgotten, is my reality...

                                                        Left because I had to, not that I wanted to, go my healing journey,

                                                        Cultural genocide destroyed my family, heal the past, meant to be...

                                                        I flew like a eagle, high and far away, my spirit feeling free, at last,

                                                        Free to make my own destiny, learn and grow, the past is the past...

                                                        I listen to the beat of the drum, pow-wow music, it takes me home,

                                                        Listening the forlorn cry of the loon at dusk, my spirit goes home...

                                                        I may not be there in body but I am in spirit, seems like I never left,

                                                        It is time to return home, have come full circle, from birth to death...

                                                        The ancestors are calling me, spirits are saying, that I really belong,

                                                        In reality, I never really left my prairie home, anishinaabe is strong...

                                                                                         My Spirit goes Home...aho

                                                                                           " Those big puppy eyes..."

                                                                         You stole my heart, with those big puppy eyes,

                                                                         I knew I had to rescue you, I couldn`t walk by...

                                                                         Said save me please, I am too old,to be here,

                                                                         Thrown away just because of my age, oh dear...

                                                                         Those big puppy eyes, went straight to my heart,

                                                                         Your gentle old soul, my dear friend, from the start...

                                                                         You brought happiness, made me feel wanted,

                                                                         Laughter, a tender cuddle, friendship undaunted...

                                                                         Now that you are gone, I look at our picture often,

                                                                         Memories of days gone by, loyal love, with affection...

                                                                         So Roockie, my dear friend, you are not forgotten,

                                                                         Two spirits connected forever, two souls as one...

                                                                                       I loved those big puppy eyes...❤

                                                                                                               RIP...

                                                                                                       "Memories..."

                                                                        Life can go by so fast, in a blink of eye, it seems,

                                                                        Filled with up`s and downs or unfulfilled dreams...

                                                                        Memories is our reminder, of whats good or bad,

                                                                        Wishful thinking, realizing memories what we had...

                                                                        Too blind to see, love was always there, in denial,

                                                                        Lost opportunies, ignorance is bliss, all the while...

                                                                        A childhood denied, wasn`t our choice, traumatized,

                                                                       Neglected affection, tender love, was never realized...

                                                                       Death came too soon, full of a rainbow of reasons,

                                                                       Only our memories remianed, of our past seasons...

                                                                       Hold memories dear, realize how fortunate what is,

                                                                       Not everyone gets to have memories or forever live...

                                                                                       Memories sweet memories... ❤

                 Number one priority for all adults should be, to be good teachers for our children and thier futures...aho ❤

                                                                 Notice the cut out children, they repersent all nations...❤

                                                                                                "Damaged goods..."

                                                  Damaged goods, it has no color barriers, age, male or female, in society,

                                                  Childhood trauma, memories never go away, living with it, is the only way...

                                                  Words cut deep like a knife, only leave scars, but never fade, so remember,

                                                  We can never take them back, action is stronger than words, words last forever...

                                                  Remember, be kind, compassionate, understanding, is the only way to heal,

                                                  A warm hug of affection, a special look in your eyes, compassion for us to deal...

                                                  Protect our children, teach them well, honesty is the only way, is true love,

                                                  A spiritual foundation and connection, watch for the eagles, flying high above...

                                                  There are too many broken people, too many scars, of greed and of war`s,

                                                  Too many empty promises, words not kept, going backwards, not forwards...

                                                  Words of wisdom, came from my elders, pure words of love and knowledge,

                                                  No longer damaged goods, learned to live them, healed the past, less damage...

                                                  Have true compassion, for each other, even a stranger, and walk in the light,

                                                  To a brighter future, be a warrior of life, rewards abound, no longer to fight...

                                                                                        No longer damaged goods...❤

Letztes Jahr, an einer von Kathleens Schulen, in der sie arbeitet, fand letztes Jahr im Jahr 2022 „Zirkus in der Schule“ statt. Ich war berührt, wie gut die Schüler abgeschnitten haben, und ich fand es sehr unterhaltsam. Ich wurde von meiner Frau Kathleen eingeladen, es war egal, es war alles auf Deutsch. Ich hatte die Ehre, mit meiner Frau dabei zu sein, es war ein lustiger Nachmittag... ❤

Last year, one of Kathleen`s schools she works in, they held " Circus in the school" last year in 2022. I was touched how the students did so well and I found it very entertaining. I was invited by my wife Kathleen, it mattered not it was all in german. I was honored to attend it with my wife, it was a fun afternoon... ❤

                                                                                                           "Courage..."

                                                                   Out of all the values I admire the most, is courage, I do,

                                                                   To find the courage to over come all the odds, finally too...

                                                                   For every child to fulfill their dreams, to heal thier trauma,

                                                                   Sexual, physical, mental abuse, dysfunctional family drama...

                                                                   For those children stolen, for who will never come home,

                                                                   Is is important to know, to heal, that you are never alone...

                                                                   Out of all the values I admire the most, is courage, I do,

                                                                   To find the courage to over come all the odds, in life too...

                                                                   For every child to fulfill their dreams, to heal thier trauma,

                                                                   Sexual, physical, mental abuse, dysfunctional family drama...

                                                                   To have to courage to love and to be loved, we all deserve,

                                                                   Able to trust unconditionally, without judgement, forever...

                                                                   Everyone has thier own stories, secrets, hidden deep inside,

                                                                   To find the courage is freedom, no longer, we need to hide...

                                                                   Either young or older, everyone matters, is time for change,

                                                                   Leave the past in the past finally, now the name of the game...

                                                                   Look to the elders, our knowledge keepers and storytellers,

                                                                   The old ones show us with love, what courage does deliver...

                                                                   To walk into the light from the darkness, this takes courage,

                                                                   Find your inner joy and peace, to trust your instincts always...

                                                                   So find your courage, it lives within, set it free, it is your right,

                                                                   To find your own way, lessons learnt, mistakes made, to fight...

                                                                                                      This is courage...❤

Since the beginning of my art career I started to collect personal artifacts from my art career. Thirty plus years later in my 70`s, I realize that I am in my twilight years on Mother Earth, now on my Golden Age time journey...I have been talking with my wife Kathleen for two years what to do or not and finally realizing there was really only one museum, that was the answer. The Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada in my home province, where I was born and raised I am donating all my personal and sacred objects to them...it needs to go home. Now the work begins. so we are in the beginning stages of the process, to documenting every piece, paper documents, paintings, media/newspaper/magazine/DVD, sacred objects. Make arrangements to have it shipped back home after my passing. It warms my heart knowing it will be kept safe for decades to come, for the future generations. I am a anishinaabe prairie boy and one can never take the boy out of the land...full circle...aho 

                                                                                                    All My Relations...

                                                                                          "My Inner Core of Reality..."

                                                          Looking at it as a gift, some appreciate it, while others do fear it,

                                                          I perfer to see the beauty, not the negative, nor do I have regret...

                                                          I see the purity, the innocence, the unknown, mostly the yearning,

                                                          Only to be loved and appreciated, finding inner joy, never ending...

                                                          To have a friend who you can trust, never to fear unseen betrayal,

                                                          Sharing your deepest thoughts, wishful thinking or without denial...

                                                          Having a life long friendship, returning it ten fold, kind of freedom,

                                                          That many long for but never get, to be part of you inner sanctum...

                                                          Live without fear but to still be careful, someone to believe in you,

                                                          Giving advice or to be advised, sharing wisdom and believeing too...

                                                          Someone to grow with, making memories together, lasting forever,

                                                          A love, without judgements or a hidden agenda, happily ever after...

                                                          To be able to dream, complete freedom to decide, or commitment,

                                                          Believing in love, that it is real, we all search for, without resistance...

                                                          Dreams do come true, I now because all mine have, it is my reality,

                                                          To be together and married to you, sweetheart, it was meant to be...

                                                                                         My inner core of reality...❤

Over the years understanding what dyslexia is and being a hard dyslexic myself, made my life easier on many levels. I feel for all the children who suffer from it and the adults who hide it, from the shame and guilt unfairly placed a pond them. Stereotyping and ignorance "it is not a illness", only learning difficulty...There are famous people around the world and in history who are or were dyslexic and still were very successful. Dyslexic people are multi talented and very intelligent, this many do not understand either...Why I have written about it, talked about for my three decade art career, in school systems, universities and museums around the world...aho (people with dyslexia, can see and read easy "Living with dyslexia.." in my painting...)

                                                                                                 Education is the key...

                                                                                          "The Spirit of the Buffalo..."

                                                       Songs are still sung, dancing to the beat, of the buffalo skin drum,

                                                       The buffalo were everything , the spirit of the buffalo still lives on...

                                                       Romed the prairies for many moons, sacred for many generations,

                                                       Food, shelter, clothes, for the people, sacred spiritual celebrations...

                                                       Pow-wow drums, hand drums, telling stories of old and the future,

                                                       Listen to the heart beat of mother earth, deep heart beat so pure...

                                                       Thier spirit still lives on today, slowly the buffalo are coming back,

                                                       A reminder of the past, never to forget, memories left thier tracks...

                                                       When I feel the need, I pick up my buffalo skin drum, sing a song,

                                                       Of gratitude, humility, so thankful the spirit of the buffalo lives on...

                                                                                   The Spirit of the Buffalo...aho

                                   "My home is my castle..."

Ever since I can remember, my home was my castle, my safe place,

A home, a place to relax, no worry of fear, my time never to waste...

Quiet time off the rat race, dysfunctional people, place of harmony,

Only like minded people allowed in my circle, a home of simplicity...

Share with the love of my life, for her to feel free, full of happiness,

Full of love and passion, joyous laughter, to enjoy life to the fullest...

Good food, good company, one can`t ask much for anything more,

A home to make memories, build a foundation, futures to explore...

Always believed, my home is where my feet are, remains the same,

My gypsy spirit, follow my heart, to the unknown, I never reframe...

In the end, I have no regrets for any of my decisions of life, none,

Made me a better person, clear of mind, I`m happy, number one...

So follow your spirit, do it for yourself, no one else, have no regret,

Freedom is your reward and deserved, a promise to myself, I kept...

Life is a true gift, to appreciate, the past is the past, remember this,

Your home is your castle, never forget, home full of love and bliss...

                                   My home is my castle...❤

Throughout my three decade art career as a storyteller, I have always shared with children; "Be very careful of the words you say to another child or person, they can cause damage and trauma that can affect some for the rest of thier lives. Some can not live with words of hate, jealousy or ignorance, sadly...so remember...People maybe be able to forgive but we never forget"...aho

                                                                                       "Words cut deep like a knife..."

                                                         Unwanted words of hate or ignorance, often too little too late,

                                                         Words cut like a knife, the scar`s never fade, of jealousy or hate...

                                                         Try to take back but the damage has been done, full of regret,

                                                         Another secret to hide, from others, reappear, so don`t forget...

                                                         Words of jealousy or insecurity cut the deepest, forever remain,

                                                         Only guilt and shame are your reminder, your words of disdain...

                                                         Worse, no apology or regret, lives forever deep inside, of you,

                                                         Unable to hide, it spreads throughout like a cancer, inside too...

                                                          What you forgot is, the memories never disappear, they only fade,

                                                          Words remain, not forgotten, damage done, denial your only aid...

                                                          Claiming ignorance, even stupidity, never an good enough excuse,

                                                          Denial only works for so long, the reaper appears, abuse is abuse...

                                                          Karma is krama, what goes around, comes around, written in stone,

                                                          Remember, that words cut like a knife, in the end, having to atone...

                                                                                        Words cut like a knife...💔

                                                                                  November 8th, Native Veterans Day...

I felt so blesssed and fortunate that when I was visiting Ottawa, they held a ceremony of the unvailing of the native veterans monument. I got to wittness it and I felt humbled to pray and show respect for my late blood relatives who went overs seas to fight on behalf of Canada in wars. In First Nation culture protocol, our native veterans are always given and shown respect at every pow-wow. And all veterans actually...aho

I do not hide my feelings or thoughts how I feel about my dear wife, Kathleen. I was searching for my whole life for that special woman and so grateful that I found her or she found me. We are nearing a decade together and I love her just as much as when we first met, actually even more...My kindred spirit...aho

                                                                                                   " Just remember..."

                                                                              When you are feeling down, just remember,

                                                                              I`m here for you, from January to December...

                                                                              When all you need, is a friendly ear, to listen,

                                                                              Take as long as you need, with no interuption...

                                                                              Or a tender, gentle hug of affection, my dear,

                                                                              Only compassion and understanding, so clear...

                                                                               Just remember, I am your friend, to the end,

                                                                               Never leave you alone, unprotected, or pretend...

                                                                               Just sit in silence, your heart is in my hands,

                                                                               A safe place, so just remember, understand...

                                                                               Whether together or a thousand miles apart,

                                                                               Just remember darling, you are in my heart...

                                                                                                     Just remember...❤

I wrote and sang "Fostercare Blues" and " Did I tell you", chanted/eagle whisle on "Wind Song" and I recorded with MO on a music demo CD, a number of years ago...

               If I had the opportunity to go into a recording studio, I would love to put music to a number of my poems...

                                                                                                 " Through my eyes..."

                                                                                              Either closed or open,

                                                                                              I see so much,

                                                                                              Prefer positive, often...

                                                                                              My dyslexic mind, playing,

                                                                                              Exciting new games,

                                                                                              Full of passion and loving...

                                                                                              Through my eyes, I see,

                                                                                              All the real beauty,

                                                                                              Keeping me company...

                                                                                              When I say, I love you,

                                                                                              I really mean it,

                                                                                              Completely, I really do...

                                                                                              So come fly with me,

                                                                                              Through my eyes,

                                                                                              As it meant to be...

                                                                                              Through my eyes....❤