Author: benjancewicz

I grew up in Northern Quebec, on the Naskapi First Nation of Kawawachikamach. I’m a graphic artist, illustrator and independent abolitionist. I make artwork. I founded Zerflin. I’ll be your digital maverick, hired gun, and best friend.
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Ever seen a real ghost in real life?

I think so. When I was younger, a house burned down in the village with a man still inside.
A bunch of my friends (Annie Nattawappio, April Guanish, Joanne Chemaganish, Noah Nabinicaboo, Ruby Nabinicaboo, Jeanne Einish and Donna Einish) and I went out ghost hunting. There we reports of the ghost of the man being seen, so we went out to investigate.
An old building had been dragged and placed over the lot where the house had once stood, and had been turned into a rec center. The building was old, though, and sagged in a lot of places, despite being propped up by railroad ties in places.

We went up to the building, looked underneath (it was 4 feet off the ground) and saw a shadowy man crouched underneath the building staring out at us.

We didn’t go ghost hunting anymore after that.

Go ahead. I'll be honest.

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Ever felt that no one relates to you?

Constantly.
I feel alienated, like I don’t really have a true home.
I’ve got some of my parents in me, but I’m not the same as them.
I’ve got Naskapi in me, but no one here is that.
I’ve got Jancewicz in me, but I don’t know that legacy.
I’ve got Kenney in me, but that’s all mystery.
I’m an intellectual, but don’t like the stigma.
I’m an artist, but don’t get most art.
I’m a writer but I don’t have an English major’s precision.
I’m a musician, but don’t like indie music and can’t read notation.

I don’t fit in. And I know it’s a good thing in a lot of ways. But sometimes it’s just lonely.

Go ahead. I'll be honest.