Clay Pottery Bear Totem

Animal totems can play huge roles in our lives. They aid in self-discovery and capture our imagination, giving us incredible avenues of self-expression and awareness.

Additionally, they assist in understanding our past, and if we are attentive, our animal totems can reveal glimpses of our future.

Webster's Dictionary defines a totem as: "A natural object, usually an animal that serves as a distinctive, often venerated emblem or symbol? Usually a means of personal or spiritual identity."

Native American animal totems most commonly come to mind when discussing this topic. However, animal signs are found throughout all cultures spanning the globe.

Embracing my indigenous heritage I spent time in meditation and prayer to discover my personal totem animal this summer. Not saying that you can’t have more than one, I wanted to share my fist Totem animal with you.

Meaning of the Bear

Protection

Childbearing

Motherhood

Freedom

Discernment

Courage

Power

Unpredictable

Because the bear is cautious, it encourages discernment to human kind

Because of a fierce spirit the bear signals bravery to those who require it

Because of its mass and physical power, the bear stands for confidence and victory Because it prefers peace and tranquility (in spite of size), bear calls for harmony and balance.  

Pottery Market in Bastion Square

Victoria BC has a market down at Bastion Square with gorgeous views and wonderful people touring around from all over the world.  Truly, a dream come true, when you get to be apart of something so exciting.

Four years ago I walked into Clayworks Pottery studio in Edmonton Alberta with a business plan and a goal. What was the plan you ask? Well have a seat and let me tell you.

The plan was that in five years I was going to be on Vancouver Island selling pottery in one of the local markets.  Now working out of a studio called Hands onPottery; little did I know, it was going to be an EPIC adventure of clay, with a side of University and a new community surrounded by my ancestral history, Swampy Cree.

The new or modified plan is to finish a graduate degree, continue to develop my art around my ancestral learning and never stop making Pottery!

All the amazement and wondrous beauty of the island you see in photos and hear stories about I can vouch, IT IS REAL. The trees are huge, the ocean is vast and the creativity flows like honey from an overstuffed beehive.

If you make it out to the island make sure you check out the markets and take in a drive up highway 14 to stop in to China and French beach. You won’t be sorry you did.

For more works by me please see Pottery Cove