Showing Up at Friends United with Loretta Gould & Jasyn Lucas

A Visit to Friends United in Unama’ki, Cape Breton

In this episode of Showing Up, Nancy Regan visits Friends United, an Indigenous artists initiative and gathering place in Unama’ki, Cape Breton. The visit offers a look inside a space dedicated to Indigenous art, cultural education, creative support, and respectful dialogue.

Friends United is described in the interview as much more than a gallery. It is a place where artists can create, connect, share stories, and continue their artistic, spiritual, and entrepreneurial journeys.

Jasyn Lucas: Art, Healing, and the Northern Lights

Cree artist Jasyn Lucas shares how art has been part of his healing journey and personal growth. His work is deeply connected to the Northern Lights, ancestral guidance, natural resources, and the emotional energy that moves through the creative process.

During the conversation, Nancy reflects on the power of standing in front of Jasyn’s work and feeling not only the visual beauty of the painting, but also the emotion and energy behind it. Jasyn speaks about love, courage, identity, and the role of art as medicine.

Loretta Gould: Creative Evolution and Purpose

Mi’kmaq artist Loretta Gould speaks with Nancy about her artistic journey, including her earlier work as a quilter and her later evolution into painting. Her story shows how a creative passion can become a powerful sense of purpose later in life.

Loretta also reflects on the encouragement she gives to young people who ask how she became the artist she is today. Her message is grounded in practice, patience, and the belief that creativity grows through commitment.

Art as Connection, Reconciliation, and Cultural Expression

Throughout the episode, the conversation returns to the importance of connection. Friends United supports artists not only by showcasing their work, but also by helping create an environment where culture, heritage, oral history, and artistic expression can be shared with others.

The episode highlights how Indigenous artists can act as cultural ambassadors through their work, offering viewers a deeper understanding of identity, beauty, resilience, and community.