Garrett Nahdee is a self-taught artist from Walpole Island First Nation. He served as an active-duty United States Marine for four years, participating in humanitarian missions. After his honourable discharge from the Marines, he spent five years as a truck driver, travelling all across Canada and the United States. It was in his truck that he first started drawing. Realizing he had a passion for art, he soon started painting and carving. He began getting requests to create custom pieces, and is now a full-time professional artist. 

About the Seven Grandfather Teachings, Garrett says they are “great leadership traits, and when they are practiced in everyday life, you will see changes in your life. Burdens will be lifted, and bitterness will deplete. Uplifting your spirit to soar to another level of progress. I truly believe in the Seven Grandfather Teachings, and teach them when I can.” He explains “Let’s begin with eagle, the spirit of Love. Through one’s journey living through Love, one will gain Respect, and with love will respect others. So with Love and Respect, we abide in the Truth. Being true to oneself will bring Humility. Humility is a reflection of Wisdom. Wisdom is knowledge, which guides you to be humble. In the end, it takes Courage to be Honest, Courage to defend the Truth, Courage to always Respect and Love all of Mother Earth’s gifts.”

Garrett Nahdee gaa-gikinoo’amaadizod netaa-mazinibii’iged Bakejiwanaang Walpole Island First Nation onjibaa. Marine gii-aawi Gichi-Mookomaan-Akiing niiyo-biboon, gii-minochige gii-naadamaaged. Ishkwaataad imaa ishkwaa-manaadendaagozid Marines, naano-biboon gii-odaabii’iwe gichi-odaabaaning, gii-babaamaadizi miziwe Canada miinawaa United States. Odoodaabaaning nitam gii-maajii-mazinibii’ige. Gii-maajii-nisidotam gii-zaagitood mazinibii’iged, wayiiba gii-maajii-zhishoobii’ige miinawaa gaa-maajii-ozhikwajige. Gii-maajii-gagwejimaa giishpin waa-ozhitooban mazinibii’iganan ozhikwajiganan, mii sa ezhichiged noongom apane go.

Iniw Niizhwaaswi Anishinaabe-Gikinoo’amaadiwinan, Garrett ikido “aapiji onizhishinoon izhiwebiziwinan, miinawaa apii aabajichigaadegin endaso-giizhig, giga-waabandaan aandaadiziyan. Zanagiziwinan da-maajaamagadoon, miinawaa zhiingendamowinan da-maajaamagadoon. Giga-ombendam gijichaag ji-minoseyan wii-maajiishkaayan. Aapiji nindebwetaanan Niizhwaaswi Anishinaabe-Gikinoo’amaadiwinan, miinawaa ningikinoo’amaagenan apii gashkitooyaan."

Gii-ikido “Nitam sa maaba migizi, Zaagi’idiwin aawi. Megwaa bimaadizid awiya Zaagi’iwed, awiya oga-ayaan iw Manaadendamowin, miinawaa Zaagi’iwed ji-manaadenimaad gakina awiya. Mii dash Zaagi’idiwin miinawaa Manaadendamowin, wenji-bimaadiziyang Debwewining. Debweyenindizong ji-biijigaadeg Dabasenimowin. Dabasenimowin dibishkoo izhinaagwad Nibwaakaawin. Nibwaakaawin gikendaasowin aawan, ginaadamaagon ji-bekaadiziyan. Apii ishkwaaj, daa-ate Aakide’ewin ji-gwayakwaadizing, Aakide’ewin ji-ganawendaming Gwayakwaadiziwin, Aakide’ewin apane ji-manaadendaming miinawaa ji-zaagitoong gakina gegoo Akiing.”