Meet the Artist

Lil Bears Trading Post is proudly owned and operated by Mètis artist Jacob Ouimette. Established in 2019, The Trading Post is a traditional Indigenous family business that curate's a vast collection of mindfully sourced, handmade oddities from local Ontario farms.

Jacob is a descendant of the Adeles Bear Clan of Northern Ontario. At a young age, Jacob was taught the traditional methods of cleaning and preserving animals from the Indigenous community. He also learned how to build tipis and the significance of being a fire keeper. Jacob was named Lil Bear by an Indigenous elder.

Jacob started in the oddity industry in 2013. He worked diligently to build the Natural History Museum in Toronto, Canada. During his time at the museum, Jacob took care of rescued and endangered animals. He provided the animals with the utmost care and ensured they were treated humanely after passing. He also utilized skills learned from his childhood and put them in to practice while preserving artifacts and specimens.

Currently, Jacob creates artwork from animal skulls and bones, hemp and other traditional and environmentally friendly materials. He volunteers at the Wendover Wildlife Centre and also provides animal services for the Capital Film Wranglers. Jacob also has a dream of opening the Land Back Museum which will showcase 500 years of Indigenous history. Jacob continuously donates proceeds from his artwork to Indigenous community initiatives and charities.