Leatherback turtle

The painting shows the eagle ( kitpu ) with its wings protectively wrapped around a mother leather back turtle and her babies. The eagle represents “Love”, the first of the seven sacred teaching. Love is understood in a sense of unconditional love, the love of a parent or creator.

When I painted the turtles I was thinking about how these amazing animals travel between the Caribbean and Nova Scotia and how turtles move between land and the ocean.

This painting reminds us about connections, in the world, between the elements and how whatever we do as humans has implications on all other creatures in the world. In Mi’kmaq ceremony or prayer we use the term “All My Relations” or “msit no’kmaq” to remember that connection.