About Us
About Us
Jadeon Rathgeber, also known as Medicine Bear, is a First Nations artist, storyteller, and grassroots advocate whose life reflects resilience, cultural continuity, and personal transformation.
A proud descendant of Wapuskogimaw (White Bear Chief) and a member of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, Jadeon's roots are deeply connected to the traditions, artistry, and stories of Turtle Island. He comes from a long lineage of First Nations artists, including his mother, Pat Bruderer (Half Moon Woman), a renowned birch bark biting artist whose work has helped preserve and share an important Indigenous art form for future generations.
In 2006, after leaving behind a life shaped by gangs and addiction, Jadeon found healing and purpose through ceremony, mentorship, and the art of carving.
Guided by the teachings of his late carving mentor Gyuauustees, Jadeon developed a lifelong commitment to sharing Indigenous stories, preserving cultural knowledge, and encouraging meaningful conversations about history, reconciliation, and the relationship between people and the land. His work is inspired by spiritual symbolism, family lineage, and a worldview that honours the strength of women, community, and ancestral teachings.
For more than two decades, Jadeon has travelled extensively throughout Canada, visiting First Nations communities while sharing his handcrafted jewelry and listening to and exchanging stories that celebrate culture, identity, and resilience.
His work, including the monumental Keeper of the House of All the Eagles, has found a home in places of deep cultural and historical significance, including the former Kamloops Indian Residential School site.
Through Medicine Bear Arts, Jadeon creates more than heirloom-quality jewelry. His work serves as a bridge between cultures, inviting people to learn, reflect, and connect through art, storytelling, and shared human experience. His journey is one of resilience, healing, and hope a reflection of the enduring strength of Indigenous peoples and a vision for a future rooted in respect, understanding, and cultural renewal.