Michael Julian is a talented Indigenous artist and member of the Eskasoni band from Sydney, Nova Scotia. A fluent Mi’kmaq speaker, Michael has lived across the Maritimes, including Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and now resides in Prince Edward Island. Artistry runs deep in his family, with both parents being Mi’kmaq basket makers. His mother, Irene Herney, was also a medicine woman and pipe carrier, whose teachings and craft inspired Michael’s own creative journey.

Michael began his artistic path around 1992, creating regalia for himself and his close community members. Today, he is a passionate visual artist known for his unique hand-painted canvas wigwams and Indigenous-inspired chokers. His designs often feature dancers, turtles, hummingbirds, and other cultural symbols, blending tradition with creativity. Michael’s work is characterized by the care and thought he puts into each piece, ensuring they are not only beautiful but also enduring.

Michael’s business draws inspiration from his Indigenous name, White Ocean Turtle, gifted by Elder Frank Augustine, and the three medicine colors: white, yellow, and green, which influence his creations. For Michael, art is a way to connect deeply with his culture, people, and nature. His ultimate goal is to preserve his family’s legacy by learning to craft traditional baskets and small birchbark canoes.

Michael’s work is available at the Indigenous PEI store in Charlottetown, and he can be reached via email at michaeljulian@live.ca