Last update: February 11th, 2006

The adventures of NORVAL MORRISSEAU & Gary Lamont

(Copper Thunderbird & Spirit Chaser)

 

I, Gary Lamont, was introduced to Norval Morrisseau by my father (step-father) Allen Heney (my biological father was George Lamont). My father had known Norval Morrisseau since beginning of the 1960s in Beardmore, Ontario (they were neighbours). 

 

Norval Morrisseau and Allen Heney (Beardmore, Ontario - beginning of the 1970s)

 

I met Norval Morrisseau in 1980 when I bought six paintings from him because he needed the money. He came to visit me with paintings for sale on recommendation by Roger Onakanakis-Kek from McDermid (near Beardmore; he is now residing in Playf Plat, near Nipigon, Ontario). Norval Morrisseau lived in Thunder Bay, Ontario and he would have come often to visit me in my Thunder Bay house and we would drink tea. 

 

Norval Morrisseau  and Gary Lamont (Toronto, Ontario - 1985)

 

Many times he would come to sell me paintings because he needed money for rent. Once I told him that he could have ask for more money for paintings of the certain size and artistic quality, and he agreed and we started business relationship. 

 

Norval Morrisseau  in front of painting on canvas:

"Elevated Consciousness Entering a Parallel Universe", 9'x6', 1981

 

 

Lakehead University CONVOCATION (Thunder Bay, Ontario - June 1, 1985)

 

Norval Morrisseau moved from his house at McLaughlin street at house, next to mine, at Fitzgerald Street. I provided him with canvases, brushes and paint that I supplied from art store "Painted Turtle" in Thunder Bay. I started selling his paintings to people in Thunder Bay and that was beginning of our business relationship that lasted for more than a decade.

 

 

Norval Morrisseau and Gary Lamont (White Rock, British Columbia -  mid 1980s)

/Norval Morrisseau gave Gary Lamont name "Spirit Chaser"*/

 

Norval Morrisseau's writing, on the back of the above photograph, when naming Gary Lamont "Spirit Chaser"*

 

* "Spirit Chaser" - a Native North-American good luck charm.

- Spirits, both good and bad, ride the wind, affecting our lives when they settle upon the Mother Earth. The departure of bad or evil spirits can be hastened by the presence of a Spirit Chaser. Fortunately, good spirits are not affected by the presence of the Spirit Chaser. They do not fear it as it is a "brother/sister" spirit.  Bad or evil spirits immediately come under the spell and leave.

 

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Gary Lamont and Norval Morrisseau  (Toronto, Ontario -  1985)

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Norval Morrisseau  and Gary Lamont (Thunder Bay, Ontario - end of 1990s)

 

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Roger Onakanakis-Kek and Gary Lamont (Thunder Bay, Ontario - August 2004)

 

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"Spirit Chaser"  (Nanaimo, British Columbia - May 18th, 2005)

 

 

Grand shaman of the Ojibway people "Copper Thunderbird" (Norval Morrisseau)

reunites with young shaman "Spirit Chaser" (Gary Lamont) (Nanaimo, British Columbia - May 18th, 2005)

 

 

"Copper Thunderbird" asks "Spirit Chaser" to hold his Medicine stick

Together they share their kind words and Grand shaman tells the young shaman that he will be here for a long time...

...and not to worry about life's misunderstandings (Nanaimo, British Columbia - May 18th, 2005)

 

 

The photographs on this page are from my personal collection.

Sincerely,

Gary Lamont

 

 

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