This piece features the unique patterns of embroidery found only in Manitoba. In the mid to late 1800’s, Metis women in Manitoba created their own style of embroidery sewn on hide. The larger flowers are what are commonly referred to as the “Norway House” style and the smaller flowers are known as the “Winnipeg small flower style”. The red lines that are common within many of the pieces in this series are reflective of the red trade cloth that was commonly sewn as piping or onto the borders of beadwork. The red tradecloth is frequently found in historic items in First Nations as well. Red to me represents the blood of the people, but the idea that is stemming from trade cloth evokes feelings within me that are both good and bad about our history – you know, we prospered greatly at the time from trade, but in the end, where did it leave us?
