Christi Belcourt Gatherer

Christi Belcourt is a Michif (Métis) visual artist with a deep respect for Mother Earth, the traditions and the knowledge of her people. In addition to her paintings she is also known as a community-based artist, environmentalist and advocate for the lands, waters and Indigenous peoples. She is currently a lead organizer for the Onaman Collective which focuses on resurgence of language and land-based practices. She was named the Aboriginal Arts Laureate by the Ontario Arts Council in 2015. In 2016 she won a Governor General’s Innovation Award and was named the winner of the 2016 Premier’s Awards in the Arts. Christi’s work is found within the permanent collections many world-renowned galleries.

My latest design takes its inspiration from Metis floral embroidery patterns. We Metis are not only known for our flower beadwork, but also our silk embroidery and quillwork. Historically we beaded, embroidered or quilled on hide. Silk embroidery was often done on unsmoked hide like caribou or deer hide. The white colour of the hide was a perfect backdrop for the rich pinks, reds, purples, greens and blues of the silk threads. Often the buttonhole stitch was used, giving Metis embroidery a very unique look. As always I take my inspiration from the land and think about those ancestors who walked before me, creating beautiful wearable works of art and at the same time, creating an artistic legacy for future generations. The Grandmothers of old are always with us. They knew the land, the plants and the medicines as they walked on Mother Earth. My wish for you all is that you will remember your grandmothers are always with you as you walk on your life’s path, and that we can all rise to stand up for Mother Earth and the future generations.