Ontario Roots was commissioned by Scott Carpenter, a proud Métis from Penetanguishene, Ontario. His ancestors were moved from Drummond Island and settled in Penetanguishene as part of the re-settlement of First Nations and Metis from Drummond Island by the U.S. goverment. Scott wanted a painting that showcases his proud Ontario Metis heritage using plants that can reflect the importance of water to this region and traditional teachings about medicinal plants.
In this piece the plants depicted are trillium, cattail, blueflag, milkweed, maple, sumac, pine, plantain, lady slippers, pickerel lily, jack-in-the-pulpit, fiddleheads, sundew, strawberry, raspberry and bluberry - and as a nod to his childhood - buttercup.
