Turtle Spirit by Talon Nash

Cultural Background: Maliseet, Jemseg, New Brunswick

Talon Nash is a self-taught Maliseet artist from the village of Lower Jemseg, located on the East bank of the Jemseg River in New Brunswick, Canada. She inherited her artistic ability from her father who passed away when she was very young. She grew up not knowing her father’s family or culture. Over the years she felt the urge to learn more about her heritage, which greatly influenced her creations. Her art is her way of honouring and connecting to her culture. She enjoys painting with acrylics, water colour and mixed media.

In honour of her home, for her social media name she chose Ahjemsik – the Maliseet word for Jemseg, meaning “picking up place,” referencing the trade that traditionally took place there during the pre-contact period and through both the English and French occupation of the area.