Amy Jackson - Nativelovenotes

Meet Amy Jackson from Nativelovenotes, her art is beyond amazing and we can’t wait for you to learn more.

- Denisse Peters, “Their Story” Creator & YBB Team

Let’s get right to it!

Amy Jackson is From the Opaskwayak Cree Nation, guest on Treaty 1 Territory & this is her story.

Name of your business, and how long you’ve had it for.

Nativelovenotes is less than a year old! We are an Ecommerce business based out of Treaty 1 aka Winnipeg.

What do you make, and how did you learn to do that art form?

I've always loved digital design and typography. I feel like a huge part of a message can be conveyed with the right font, colour pallet and phonetically spelled words and phrases. Nativelovenotes is super unique in the way we've been able to base our brand on Indigenous humour and successfully captures the cultural nuances of rez life. Other creators who inspire me are the rez lifestyle, de colonial clothing, mobilize, smudge the blades and other indigenous apparel brands!

What is your favourite item/piece you’ve made so far?

The bannock bum shorts! they make me laugh every single time.

What is something people think of when they think of your treaty territory?

I jokingly and affectionately call Winnipeg- Winnipeg First Nation. To many, it feels like home because there are so many amazing Indigenous people here!

What is something you wish people knew about your land?

We are rich in culture, hospitality, innovation and ripe with hilarious people!

What are some future goals you have for your business?

We’re excited to veer into printing our stickers at the quality that is difficult to find in Canada. Hopefully we can also offer premium print services to other artists at reasonable rates!

Where can people follow you/support you/buy from you?

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK

TikTok & Twitter @nativelovenotes9

How do you say “hello” and “goodbye” in your language?

Tansi tawaw! / Kinanaskomitin, or Ekosani

Thank you Amy for sharing your story with our community!

Their Story: In 2022, this blog series is highlighting Indigenous businesses from all Treaty Lands and Unceded Territories across Canada! Our goal is to uplift fellow creators & business owners; and create space for all.

How Your Ego Is Getting In Your Way! - Juli Wenger

Photo Credit: Christina Louise

Have you ever tried to make a change or create a new habit only to realize that after just a few days you're feeling so much resistance that you're ready to just give up?

Well, say hello to your ego. No, no, not the “I think I'm the bomb.com” kind of ego. The ego I'm talking about is your sense of self, your perceptions, and your “programming”. 

Our ego is made up of all of our upbringing, conditioning, and the “rules” we have learned along the way about how to be loved and accepted in the world - how to get our needs met. And ultimately it's about ONE thing - keeping you SAFE, which in ego talk means staying the same and staying in your comfort zone. 

This is why making a change often comes with A LOT of internal pushback. It’s your ego trying to keep you in the same seemingly comfortable place that you've always been. It keeps you repeating the same old patterns on auto-pilot, so when you disrupt a pattern, you better believe your ego is gonna show up and have something to say about it!

This is where that feeling of being “stuck” comes from. You're thinking new thoughts and attempting new things while your ego is holding up a big red stop sign and screaming “Danger! Danger!” because this newness is not part of your programming. It feels unsafe to your ego EVEN IF it is the right thing for you. 

If you are stuck in your stuckness, let me be very clear…you’re not feeling stuck because you are weak, or not good enough, or not confident enough or not brave enough. You’re feeling stuck because there is literally a tug-of-war going on between your conscious mind (the part that wants to change and knows it’s right) and your subconscious mind (where your ego and self-protective patterns live). 

Photo Credit: Christina Louise

We DEEPLY desire transformation. That's consistent for all of us. We all want to be our best and most joy-filled selves. So we try and try to create change, only to fail more than we succeed.  And every time we fail, we give ourselves proof that this BS belief that WE ARE a failure is true. (psych term = confirmation bias) But here’s the really sh*tty part, we take that failure on as an identity. 

But your performance is not a direct line to who you are. Your performance is a reflection of your ego and subconscious patterns that are trying to keep you safe and the same. Your identity exists above all of that. 

So the question then becomes - beyond my ego fears, who am I? What is my identity?

And to answer that, we have to start interacting with our fears, patterns, “limiting beliefs”, and stories, which in and of itself can be scary, especially if you’ve never done it before because choosing not to believe them anymore goes against how we've learned to function up until now. (Remember: NEW = SCARY to the ego) It brings up a fear that we humans have been conditioned to listen to that says…"stay safe", “don't rock the boat”, “what will they think?” It's really easy to get stuck here and convince yourself that it is safer to not draw attention to yourself, to not make other people uncomfortable, to not make the change… That's defaulting into old ways of being - aka living your life on autopilot. 

No shame here. It's a choice that SO many people make because the process of UNLEARNING and choosing new beliefs, well, it's hard. And autopilot seems easy. That is, when you don't factor in the pain of staying the same anyway. But God calls us to much more than just living on autopilot. He calls us to move beyond all that stuff and be rooted in our identity and purpose. 

Here’s the thing, we all have a history. We all have a past. We all have things that have happened to us, some big moments that we may be able to look back at, and combinations of small moments that built up over time. Regardless, we've all built patterns around those moments. We've put up walls. We've created defences. And now your ego is holding on to those patterns for dear life and convincing you that those patterns are you, and that your identity is found in your patterns. (Hint: it’s not true!)

So what do we do? We open our hearts and we get clear on WHO WE ARE, that's what! When we know who we are, our lens on life starts to shift. We can more easily disconnect our behaviour from our value. And then we can start to detach our identity from our behavioural patterns. That's where the soul-searching fun is! (Ok, well, it's mostly fun and also not so fun sometimes, but the transformation gets me all fired up). 

How do you do that? Other than call me, which is totally an option, you need to start to answer this question: Who am I without my roles and titles? When I take them all away, what is left?

Start there. Stay curious. See what comes up. 

Photo Credit: Christina Louise

Submission by:

Juli Wenger, The author of “Fired-up, Fulfilled, and Free - Know who you are. Get out of your own way. Live Your Purpose” (releasing May 31, 2022), a Certified and Internationally Credentialled Coach, Human Ecologist, Speaker, Podcaster, Certified Breathwork Facilitator, and student of the Enneagram. She is devoted to guiding impact-driven humans through their journeys to powerfully and courageously live out their callings. 

www.juliwenger.com

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Mad Love Monday - Sonja Deklerk Fine Jewellery

Hi, I'm Sonja and I am so excited to introduce myself to the YBB community!

I’m a fine jewellery designer who is passionate about creating jewellery as unique and beautiful as the individual for whom it is intended. I am a listener and interpreter who artistically transforms your heart's deepest emotion and life experience into tangible tokens of your love and affection.

Image Credit Tracey Jazmin

The decision to become a jewellery designer was a natural fit for me as it complimented my educational background in Fine Art. Truly, jewellery is art at its finest... the most precious of materials are used to create these timeless works of art. Studying at the Gemological Institute of America enhanced my understanding and appreciation of the precious materials that I work with. A vital component in all that I do is having a clear understanding of how and where my materials are sourced. I will only work with ethically and sustainably sourced diamonds, gemstones and precious metals.

With over 20 years of experience in the fine jewellery industry, the desire to launch my own line was always present. I have had the privilege and opportunity to work for and with the best of the best in our beautiful city of Edmonton. However, the yearning for something more propelled me into becoming an entrepreneur. I was searching for deeper meaning...deeper purpose and a way to share with the world something that was more authentically me. This is the powerful driving force behind all that I do.

If there was one message that I could shout from the rooftops, it would be this:

YOU are precious
YOU are of value
YOU are worth more than gold...

Image Credit Tracey Jazmin

The treasures of this earth are not diamonds and gold. The treasures of this earth are you and I. I am so passionate about sharing this message that I host a podcast dedicated to sharing real stories of the joys and sorrows of life while instilling a message of love and self worth. More Than Gold, the podcast can be found on apple podcast, Spotify and SoundCloud.

I find joy and purpose in helping to empower other women. This is always at the heart of my jewellery design and podcast. I have designed what I lovingly refer to as my "power ring." Wearing it brings me joy, comfort and confidence...when I can design something for another individual that evokes those same responses, it is so gratifying. Every individual needs their own power ring!

I love being an entrepreneur because there is no limit to what is possible. It was the only option available to me that allowed for full freedom of expression in a way that felt meaningful and truly authentic. Through becoming an entrepreneur I have found my voice, calling and purpose. In addition to this, I have had the opportunity to connect with so many inspirational and like minded individuals.

The harsh reality entrepreneurs face as we strive for limitless levels of success means that the possibility of failure is just as strong… the two go hand in hand. There have been many moments of insecurity and self doubt...questioning if I have made the greatest decision of my life, or the worst. I don't know that those feelings will ever truly be overcome, but I have found things that help to reduce the sting. Acknowledging that those insecurities are real and present is part of the solution. Surrounding myself with other likeminded individuals who help and support me is another part of the solution. I have come to accept that some days I am going to need a hand up, and other days I will be the one helping another up.

Image Credit Tracey Jazmin

There have been many collective small moments along my way that have reassured me that I was on the right path, but it wasn't until I signed the lease agreement for my own space that I felt an indescribable feeling of joy, peace and gratitude envelop me...everything felt aligned and right.

On social media, Instagram is where I like to spend more of my time and effort, but I am finding success using LinkedIn as well. My strategy has and always will be to be present and authentic. I recently discovered reels and admittedly am having way too much fun with that. If ever I feel that social media is too much, I just step back and take a little break. I think that is more healthy on every level for myself, my clients and my business.

Stress is a very real part of anyone's life, but especially that of an entrepreneur! I need my own time for solitude where I can play the piano in order to de-stress. It is without a doubt the most effective way for me to unwind at the end of the day. My family knows exactly how I am feeling based on how and what I play.

With all of my heart, I am eager to connect with and learn from others in the YBB community. We all need those around us who inspire us to become the best version of ourself...there's always room for improvement, and I have found that positive connections and role models are a highly effective tool. Let's all help to sharpen each other's tools rather than to dull them. I look forward to connecting with you!

Submission by:
Sonja Deklerk GIA AJP

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