Check Out the Awesome: Wildflower Creston
Métis Awareness Month with Métis Art
Throughout a significant portion of the 19th century, the practice of bison hunting played a crucial role in shaping the social, economic, and political aspects of Métis life. Referred to as the "people of the buffalo," the Métis were highly skilled bison hunters. In her work, "Métis Camp Circle: A Bison Way of Life," Leah Marie Dorion, an author and artist, takes young readers on a journey back in time to an era when the livelihood of the Métis on the Plains revolved around the buffalo. This engaging book, richly illustrated and filled with valuable cultural insights, adeptly educates us about a significant chapter in Métis history.
For Métis Awareness Month, students at Wildflower Creston have been learning through the art, culture and stories of Métis artists. In particular, students listened to the book, "Métis Camp Circle: A Bison Way of Life," read by the author, Leah Marie Dorion and then listened to the Michif translation read by Norman Fleury.
Next students examined the art of different Métis artists learning different styles of painting with acrylic medium on canvas. They noticed the important of land and sky for Métis art. Guided by their resident artist and Aboriginal Education Success Coach, students have started to paint their own canvas which will include land, sky and animals and tell their own story.
Rachel and Elowyn choose colours that represent powerful visual language and add depth to the narrative of their art.
Wildflower Creston staff and students paint in three circles representing interconnectedness, community, and the cyclical nature of life.
Anya focuses on metallic colors for their aesthetic appeal and artistic expression in Métis art.
Traditional Métis crafts often incorporated materials available in their environment. While metallics like gold and silver may not have played a significant role in traditional Métis crafts, the use of metals in tools, adornments, or trade items could have historical significance. Students are looking forward to putting the finishing details on their paintings and taking them home to share with their families.
Submitted by Aboriginal Academic Success Teacher at Wildflower Creston
