Mike Holden’s Original Acrylic on Canvas Paintings, Fine-Day, Wandering Spirit and Thunderbird Warrior, have been permanently acquired by The Royal Alberta Museum located in Edmonton, Alberta.
Fine Day by Mike Holden
Wandering Spirit by Mike Holden
Thunderbird Warrior by Mike Holden
Mike Holden’s Original Acrylic on Canvas Painting, Dreaver, Has been permanently acquired by The Canadian War Museum located in Ottawa, Ontario.
Dreaver by Mike Holden
The Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, Ontario.
30″ x 39″
Acrylic on Canvas
We are humble. We are made of the earth and return to the earth, infused with the great mystery and spirit of the stars. We know that we share this place not just with the other tribes of men, but also with all things that hold spirit. When we see that things that hold sacredness are not given their proper place in the circle, we hear our elders and our ancestors say, ahkamēyimōk “try hard”. The warrior tries hard to keep the balance for all things. Mni Wiconi. “Water is Life”. Water is what raises spirits from the earth and sustains them throughout their journey as a four legged, a two legged, a finned, a flyer, a crawler, or a plant. Some of the human nation has forgotten this, putting the entire hoop at risk. We fill our pipes on sacred blankets and ask the Eagles of the winged nation to carry our prayers to Creator, that our humble place be once again remembered by all, and that we ourselves remember always ahkamēyimōk until the balance is restored and there is papayatik “peace”.
24″ x 36″ Acrylic on Canvas
In a world of skyscrapers and concrete, our spirits get lost in these cold streets. In the times when we most feel lost, we must remember the teachings of the eagle, to persevere, to fly higher.
Never forget we are children of the Earth and our mother protects
Acrylic on Canvas
16″ x 20″
Acrylic on Canvas
16″ x 20″
Acrylic on Canvas
32″ x 20″
The War of 1812, often overshadowed by the Napoleonic Wars in Europe, became a defining moment in Canadian history—a crucible that shaped its national consciousness. At the time, British forces in Canada were sparse, with only a handful of soldiers and outposts standing against the significantly larger American forces. The British defense, however, was bolstered by their crucial Indigenous allies from the Great Lakes and Ohio Country regions. These alliances proved indispensable in resisting American incursions and even taking the fight into U.S. territory.
At the heart of this remarkable defense were two extraordinary leaders who symbolized unity despite their differing origins. Tecumseh, the Shawnee chief, was a visionary who united one of the largest Indigenous confederacies east of the Mississippi to oppose American expansion into Indigenous lands. General Isaac Brock, a British officer stationed reluctantly in Canada while aspiring to command in Europe, became an unlikely hero through his leadership and respect for his Indigenous allies. Both men sacrificed their lives in battle—Brock at Queenston Heights in 1812 and Tecumseh at the Battle of the Thames in 1813—but their legacy endures as a foundation of Canada’s identity.
This painting captures a moment of unity and shared purpose through the symbolic handshake between Tecumseh and Brock, signifying their alliance against a common foe. Brock’s uniform is adorned with two eagle feathers, a gift from the Shawnee to honor his courage and respect for their people. Surrounding them are powerful spiritual symbols: a buffalo skull and a Thunderbird, both protectors of humanity. Though buffalo are native to the West, their spirits transcend borders, watching over all people. The Thunderbird, a being of immense power in Indigenous traditions, shares its strength with the buffalo through four lightning bolts in the painting. Together, these elements highlight the spiritual significance of the alliance, the resilience of the land’s protectors, and the shared strength that defied the odds.
The buffalo skull is adorned with war paint, embodying the readiness to defend and the profound connection to the spirits of the land. Through these vivid symbols, The War of 1812 not only commemorates a pivotal historical alliance but also pays homage to the enduring spiritual guardianship that continues to inspire unity and resilience.
Mike Holden’s , Impossible Odds is on permanent display at The Grey Nun’s Hospital located in Edmonton, AB.
Impossible Odds by: Mike Holden
Acrylic on Canvas
40″ x 16″
Acrylic on Canvas
36” x 24”