The central flower in this painting is taken from a photograph of an old pair of gloves embroidered in a traditional Metis style (I think called the “Norway House Style”).    It was made to emulate the complex and prolific beadwork style of historic Métis beadwork and embroidery.  Suggested within the painting is the shape of the infinity symbol, the infinity symbol is the symbol found on the Métis flag. For Metis people it means the joining of two worlds into a nation forever.

This painting was featured on the cover of Dr. Heather Devine’s book The People Who Own Themselves: Aboriginal Ethnogensis in a Canadian Family, 1660 – 1900.  Her book is available through the University of Calgary Press.

www.uofcpress.com
ISBN 1-55238-115-3.