Description
The Medicine Turtle is a design by Odawa Artist James Jacko. The Turtle is sacred in the indigenous culture. It carries the four colours of the medicine wheel, symbolizing important elements and can be different depending on the nation. The seven circles represent the seven teachings of our people, and inside each circle is a bird that delivers the message of the creator.
James Jacko is of the Three Fires Confederacy from the Wilwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, Manitoulin Island and is of Odawa / Pottawan First Nations. James started painting in 1977, but has always been creative in different medium. He is a self-taught artist and he likes to use the theme “creation”. His greatest influences come from his family, most of whom are very detailed in their own style either through arts and crafts, trades, and work ethic, along with strong cultural surroundings and beauty of his home community.
