The Métis and the Two Row Wampum is a painting about Métis and First Nations people, and the place of Aboriginal Peoples within Canadian history.

Painted purely in dots, this painting is reminiscent of historical Métis floral beadwork, which was often done on black velvet or woolen stroud in the 1800’s.  Other traditional elements of design incorporated within the piece are the use of heavy white stems and a variety of different flowers emerging from the same stem.

The two main wavy stems are meant to loosely represent the lines in the Two Row Wampum belt.  The original wampum belts created in hand made shell beads date back to the 1600’s, maybe further.  The Two Row Wampum belt stands as a record of the verbal agreements between First Nations and Europeans; that they would live side by side as equals, not interfering with one another, respecting each other. These belts continue to have sacred significance for Mohawk and Algonquin Peoples and the teachings have been passed down between generations.

This painting is a comment on Metis existence and not a comment on the traditional teachings or the wampum belt(s) itself.  I use the wampum pattern and name as a means to question why Metis people must validate our existence to others. In the painting, the lines are depicted as being wavy because at the time of the creation of the original belts, there was no way to foresee the history in Canada that was to unfold - that the Métis would emerge as a unique People.  As one of the founding peoples of Canada, the Métis played a vital role in bringing the Province of Manitoba into Confederation.  The blooming flowers and growing stems represent the birth of the Métis Nation out of these two worlds, and the continuing reality of Métis existence in Canada.