Métis Art Facts for Kids

Métis art is special artwork made by the Métis people. You can often spot it by its unique styles and materials. For example, Métis artists create beautiful designs using beads, work with leather and animal hides, and make traditional sashes. Sometimes, any art made by someone who identifies as Métis is also called Métis art.

This art started by blending ideas and symbols from both Indigenous and European cultures. These mixed styles are still seen in Métis art today. Métis artwork often explores themes like finding your identity, the strong bonds of family, and important issues facing the Métis community right now.

A pair of beaded mittens made by an unknown Cree/Métis artist, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Exploring Métis Art Styles
Famous Métis Artists
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Exploring Métis Art Styles

Beading: The Flower Beadwork People

Beading is a very important art form for the Métis people. They are even sometimes called the "flower beadwork people"! In this art, you often see many kinds of flowers and plants. However, beading is not limited to just these designs. The use of flowers comes from combining different First Nations beadwork styles with French-Canadian embroidery techniques.

A bag made by an anonymous artist as a gift, featuring a beaded floral pattern, Cleveland Museum of Art

Leatherwork and Clothing

An example of a Capote, made with the Hudson's Bay point blanket

Besides beading, Métis artists create clothing and useful items from leather and animal hide. Examples include warm mittens, hats, boots, and bags. Métis people made clothes using various materials. Some of these materials came from the Hudson's Bay Company. Jackets made from wool blankets from this company were called Capotes.

Painting: Stories on Canvas

Painting styles in Métis art can be very different. Some paintings look more modern, like contemporary art. Others are more stylized and might even remind you of beadwork designs. It's common to see paintings that show scenes from Métis history. Artists also paint about current issues in the community. You will also find paintings of flowers and plants, similar to the images seen in beadwork.

Jigging: A Lively Dance

Jigging is a form of dance that first came from Europe. The Métis people then adopted it and made it their own unique way of expressing themselves. Métis jigging started around Winnipeg, which was once known as the Red River Settlement. It was created by mixing European and Indigenous music styles. Over time, it grew into its own special kind of music and dance.

A very famous song and dance connected to Métis jigging is the Red River Jig.

Famous Métis Artists

Many talented artists are Métis. Here are some of them:

Métis Art facts for kids

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