As a Change Program partner with iPlume Writing, Friends United is making significant strides in the Nova Scotian Indigenous art industry. From the moment we welcomed Friends United into our program, I eagerly anticipated visiting the Friends United International Convention Centre. In March, and again in May with my family, I embarked on a three-hour drive to Cape Breton. Upon arrival, I was struck with awe as soon as I stepped through the front doors. The sheer magnitude and brilliance of the space left me speechless.
The centre greeted me with a vast, bright, open area filled with the most astonishing array of artistic expressions I have ever seen. The experience was both humbling and filled me with a profound sense of warmth and peace.
Meeting the Artists
After settling in, I had the pleasure of meeting Gerry Sheena, a Salish totem pole carver and a member of the Artists in Residence program. Our conversation was immediate and deep as he shared his story. Gerry’s totem poles and other carvings, displayed throughout the centre, are a testament to his incredible talent.
I was even given the opportunity to carve a piece of BC’s red pine with Gerry’s guidance. While I won’t give up my day job, it was an experience I will certainly cherish.
The Tour
Gerry gave me a grand tour of the centre, sharing stories of both living artists and those who have passed on to the spirit world. I was immediately captivated by the works of Ojibway artist Jay Bell Redbird (1966-2019), Cree painter Jasyn Lucas, and Mi’kmaq artists Shianne and Loretta Gould, to name just a few.
I was fascinated by the works of Oji/Cree residential school survivor Gordon Fiddler (1958-2021) of Sandy Lake First Nation. Gordon started painting when he was eight and made his first sale at ten. His work predominantly features traditional Anishinaabe images.
I was overwhelmed by Mi’kmaq artist Loretta Gould’s use of vibrant colour. Loretta began her artistic career as a quilter and then tried her hand at painting in 2013 with support and encouragement from Rolf Bouman. Loretta now sells her artwork worldwide and has passed her skill on to her daughter, Shianne.
Shianne Gould is a Mi’kmaq artist who is becoming renowned for her captivating paintings focusing on family and her relationship with Mother Earth. I felt an immediate connection to Shianne’s paintings and the stories she tells with her brush.
I was fortunate to receive one of Shianne’s prints as a gift from Friends United as a finalist in the Halifax Chamber of Commerce’s Halifax Business Awards. During the Business Hall of Fame Gala, I had the absolute honour of meeting Shianne in person as she performed a live painting to be auctioned off in support of Junior Achievement of Nova Scotia.
Influenced by his cultural roots, James Jacko is a self-taught artist from Manitoulin Island. His art tells stories of Creation and the Creator as a feeling that flows through him and from his brush. I not only see this but feel this when taking in his beauty.
A proud member of the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, Jasyn Lucas is a multi-talented artist who expresses himself through drawing, painting, printmaking, art history, sculpture, tattooing, and more. Jasyn’s expression of the Aurora Borealis is so lifelike that it feels as though I am seeing the beauty of the northern lights in real-time.
Another Artist in Residence, Eric Schweig, is an Inuit artist who proudly displays several traditional and contemporary Inuit masks, among other artistic pieces, at Friends United. Eric is a multi-talented, well-known artist and actor who is sharing his skills with others.
These are just a few of the countless artworks displayed throughout Friends United. If you have not yet had the pleasure of visiting the centre, I strongly recommend that every Nova Scotian and tourist from far and wide make the trip to soak up the awe-inspiring beauty and warmth that can only truly be felt in person. Visiting Friends United will surely exceed your expectations and leave you feeling balanced and truly appreciative of the stories expressed by Canada’s Indigenous artists.
About Friends United
Founded by Rolf Bouman, Friends United is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Indigenous artists across Canada. It plays a pivotal role in providing both established and emerging Indigenous artists with the support and encouragement needed to become more independent and self-sufficient entrepreneurs. By offering gallery spaces for showcasing their work, workshop spaces for collaboration, and seminars where they can engage in dialogue with visitors from around the world, Friends United elevates the profile of Indigenous artists and breaks down barriers for Indigenous cultures.
Located in Richmond County, Nova Scotia, within Mi’kma’ki, the traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq, the Friends United International Convention Centre is a beacon for Indigenous art. Friends United works with artists in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, and BC, but its national scope allows for connections with artists and partners across Canada. It supports artists from a variety of Indigenous cultures, including (but not limited to) Mi’kmaq, Cree, Ojibwe, Anishinaabe, Inuit, Maliseet, Mohawk, and Métis backgrounds.
Indigenous art has faced many systemic barriers due to residential schools and other racist policies. However, “Indigenous art has survived as a means of keeping history, skills, culture, and identity alive.” The inseparability of art and Indigenous culture is profound. A study of youth in the Kainai First Nation in Alberta found that art improves well-being, educational engagement, and enjoyment of learning, providing Indigenous children and teens a way to express and understand their cultures.
How to Help
If you’re considering donating to Friends United, rest assured that 100% of your donation will directly support Indigenous artists. Your contribution will provide crucial resources such as art supplies, business skill development, education opportunities, and support for the Artists in Residence program. Every donation helps ensure that Indigenous artists can preserve their heritage and unique craftsmanship.
Everyone deserves access to the arts, and your donation to Friends United will enable them to continue this important work. By supporting Friends United, you’ll make a positive impact in the lives of Indigenous artists, contribute to the cultural richness of communities, and foster inclusivity and diversity. If you’d like to make a donation and support Indigenous artists through art supplies, artwork prints for residual income, and the Artists in Residence Program, please do so here.
