Jay Bell Redbird and Halina Stopyra: Artnership

In my conversation with Rick Hansen, I mentioned a project I’ve been working on with Indigenous Canadian artists, and in particular one lovely man who reframed death for me shortly after I’d lost a close friend. Jay Bell Redbird gave me a gift by simply talking about his mother - in a very present way - being in the Spirit World. That was impactful, but so was just meeting Jay. We were kindred spirits from the moment we met. He was warm, funny, and open. He was also a tremendously talented - and prolific artist.

His Ojibway name was Medicine Wind, and art was his medicine.

Very suddenly, last month, Jay made his own trip to the Spirit World. He died in his sleep at the age of 52, leaving behind many - mourning - in the physical world.

Today’s episode is a conversation with Jay and his partner - in life, love, & art - Halina Stopyra.

As you’ll hear, they had an unconventional kind of “artnership" (my word, not theirs) and they were a perfect representation of the one-of-a-kind initiative that is known as Friends United.

Please join me for this rich conversation. If you’re intrigued, be sure to visit the new Redbird Gallery in Auld’s Cove Nova Scotia, just a stone’s throw away from the Cape Breton Causeway, and check out Friends-United.ca.

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This episode was supported by:


Golden Realty Group (www.soldongold.ca)
 The Bicycle Thief (www.bicyclethief.ca)
 Hotel Halifax (www.hotelhalifax.ca) 
Homebase by Anne Berube (www.anneberube.com)
 Downtown Halifax Business Commission (www.downtownhalifax.ca)