In
the late 1970's is when I started carving, one of the first carvers
from my community, which is the Sagkeeng First Nation. Once I started
to follow the traditional way of life I became inspired. Seeing
the way our
people were living, this became my motivation. I want to help with
change, through my art. I know that the youth see me as a role model.
I worked with students last year and I could see in them that they
become inspired through my work. The only time the Anishinaabe people
are talked about or reported from Sagkeeng, it is always negative.
I
want to inspire good images, and I want to make something out of
my art, also I want to inspire other artists and future artists.
There are others artist who are struggling. I want to continue with
my form of art. Most of the time, when you're on the reserve, it
seems like there are no open roads. When I pick up my hand-drum
and sing the songs, I I become inspired and the road is no longer
closed.
