Connect What is your favorite type of art to create?

"When I create my art, I strive to embrace traditional methods as closely as possible, using old tools to preserve those time-honoured techniques. This approach helps uphold the level of craftsmanship that artists of the past took immense pride in. They achieved an almost superhuman standard in their handcrafted pieces, demonstrating exceptional skill and dedication. While I aim to keep my work rooted in tradition, I also integrate contemporary mediums, ensuring my art remains relevant

Where do you find inspiration?

Jai believes that our art forms are deeply intertwined with our spirituality. The boldness and sturdiness of our lines are rooted in the earth, while the fluidity and freedom of our designs are unbound. He’s fascinated by the ability of our art to exist simultaneously in both the present and the past, both here and there. Jai finds comfort in pushing these lines, knowing that they represent and embody the life of our ancestors.

What would you do with $25,000?

I would like to use the money to create a space to make larger scale carving such as totem poles, dugout canoes and other large scale monuments that tell traditional story’s of our people. Also I would like to be able to teach traditional carving and formline design to our youth by doing murals and carving paddles.