Blood Memory / Family History 2015-present

Exploring Family Roots Through Art

Family identity is closely tied to where we come from, influenced by our experiences with the land and the people around us. My art making practices examine my own family history shaped by colonization to redefine how I interpret the links between the land, my identity, relationships, and what home means to me. I am intrigued by inspired by my maternal and paternal great-grandparents' experiences moving to Alberta in the early 1900s and choosing to farm, drawn by the promise of a better life through farming in the "Last Best West." The word "Aki(iin)," from the Ojibwa language, captures the essence of earth and place. Learning about my Metis heritage sparked a new direction in my art, exploring how the land, community, memories, and ancestors are all connected.

This works focuses on the landscape to heal and rebuild bonds by exploring the impact on the places I share with others. Using paintings, drawings, photos, and experimental films, I dive into key family moments; starting from Evergreen Cemetery in Edmonton, where my sister rests, to former family lands in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Through art making I hope to capture moments in time that reflect my evolving understanding and attachment to these places, people and stories.

Exploring Métis Identity Past and Present at Lougheed House, Calgary