Flowers for My Ancestors: A Métis Story

In this ceramic printing on glass, the artist honours the story of her great-grandparents. Floral motifs take the place of their features to represent the Métis as “the flower beadwork people.”

A slideshow of digital art and photographs outlines their story with an accompanying soundtrack by Sarah's band, Cîpayak ᒌᐸᕀ. This artwork reflects on the journey of her ancestors and parallels Houle’s own story of setting down roots in Calgary, Mohkinstsis, with its existing rich Métis history.

Louis Houle was a young man and about the best violin player in town. He played at all the dances. That is where I used to see him. I never really met him. He said to someone, ‘There's the girl I'm going to marry.’ Louis was a trapper and Emilie the mother of eight children.”

—Excerpt from an article written by Emilie Houle, in the Athabasca newspaper

View a video about this art piece.

In this ceramic printing on glass, the artist honours the story of her great-grandparents. Floral motifs take the place of their features to represent the Métis as “the flower beadwork people.”

A slideshow of digital art and photographs outlines their story with an accompanying soundtrack by Sarah's band, Cîpayak ᒌᐸᕀ. This artwork reflects on the journey of her ancestors and parallels Houle’s own story of setting down roots in Calgary, Mohkinstsis, with its existing rich Métis history.

Louis Houle was a young man and about the best violin player in town. He played at all the dances. That is where I used to see him. I never really met him. He said to someone, ‘There's the girl I'm going to marry.’ Louis was a trapper and Emilie the mother of eight children.”

—Excerpt from an article written by Emilie Houle, in the Athabasca newspaper

View a video about this art piece.