My name is Gordon Chippewa, I started Chippewa Concrete, Inc. five years ago, but have been doing concrete locally
for over 15 years and really enjoy it. I started out doing decorative flatwork, slabs and foundations. After a few
years I wanted to take my business to a new level and decided to venture out and start doing decorative stamped
concrete and overlayment systems.
Stamped concrete is more my style, it is a form of art for me and I really love
it. As my business grows, I'm able to become more artistic and do custom pieces. I now make concrete sculptures
like the one pictured below. I am also working on a piece for the hit show "Miami Ink" which I will tell you about
later.
I was born on an Indian reservation in Michigan and raised in New Smyrna Beach. I am Chippewa Indian, hence my
last name Chippewa. I am a tribal member of The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, located in
Peshawbestown, MI. As I was growing up I would spend summers on the reservation with my father. He taught me about
my culture, traditions and my people. After my father passed three years ago, it was difficult to go to the
reservation.
I finally got the strength this summer after getting a memorial tattoo for him, on the show "Miami
Ink." The show aired on TLC on August 15th. I was very proud of the show and the tattoo I received to honor my
father. After three long years I was finally ready to go back to reservation and see all my relatives and show
them my tattoo. I attended the annual pow-wow where I was honored and given an eagle feather for my tattoo and my
TV appearance. I felt my father was there with me, and was proud.
Right now I have two loves of my life!! My two english bulldogs, Chopper and Niijii (which means friend in the
Chippewa language). They are my "children" and bring so much joy to my life! When I'm not doing concrete, I love
hanging with my dogs, surfing and photography.
I just recently found a love for photography. I started taking
pictures and realized that I'm actually pretty good at it! I now take my camera everywhere. I mostly take pictures
of nature. I love to see eagles and take pictures of them. They are very meaningful and important in my culture. I
took the picture of the eagle below.
Overall, I am very fulfilled and have been very blessed in my life. I have reached my goal of being a successful business owner. I love what I do therefore it doesn't feel like work to me.
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