Title: Wenabozho's Gift

Artist: Two White Feather - Issac Petonoquot

Tribal Affiliation: Saugeen First Nation - Anishinaabe

Year Completed: 2022

Medium: Birch Bark

Dimensions (HxWxD): 7' x 3' x 3'

Description/Inspiration:

Basket comes complete with the 4 sacred medicines of Sage, Cedar, Sweetgrass and Tobacco (Sema) to bring cleansing,
protection, kindness and gratitude. The bark (Wiigwaasabak) that was used was respectfully stripped from a Birch Tree on Saugeen First Nation and shaped with love. A felt heart berry (Ode'imin) is attached to remind the bidder of the importance of balancing the mind, body, spirit and emotions with Mother Nature's gifts that are gathered throughout life and put in a bundle to carry and access when needed.

Artist Bio/Statement:

The Creator's Shelf is a partnership effort of Issac Two White Feather from Saugeen First Nation and Settler Ally Lori Gentle Eagle from Niagara Falls. Crafting helps us to open our hearts, calm our minds, move our bodies and connect us to spirit. It began as just another healthy distraction that supported Two White Feather's efforts to manage symptoms of mental health and addictive behaviours resulting from colonial oppression and multi-generational trauma. Much like his Father, Issac has a particular interest in working with his hands and building with wood. Lori fondly remembers times in her childhood spent with her Grandmother, making dolls with dried apples or embroidering table cloths with blessings left behind by those who gathered together during holiday meals each year. From her work as a Counsellor / Advocate and Soul Worker / Circle Facilitator, she knows the healing value of creative expression. On The Creator's Shelf, you will find items infused with spirit from Indigenous and Wise Woman (Goddess) traditions. We respectfully seek a lot of our supplies from the natural world and let Mother Earth be our guide. We then come together to breathe life into the creation and to share the meaning or teachings that accompany it, either on paper or in one of our Crafting With A Conscience Workshops. Custom work will always be considered as we believe, 'one of a kind is the best find'! We love to showcase other artists who use their medium in healing ways. And we believe in giving back to community. We contribute what we can of the craft sales to support the build efforts of A Womb With a View; our peer support, land based healing space that will offer crisis intervention, programming, respite for First Nations youth and/or their caregivers while they are on the Red Road to recovery.

"Making art is like giving a gift; evidence of your spirit and that you are here." -- Patty Mitchell

Please note:

Shipping within the U.S. & Canada is included in the purchase price. Sales tax and an additional 4% + $2.00 per item will be applied to the entire transaction to cover taxes, credit card processing, and other fees.