Manitoba Métis artist’s new exhibit reflects Indigenous teachings, values

A Manitoba artist is showcasing her first solo exhibit at the Manitoba Museum, where different media of physical and digital art intersect with themes of identity and belonging.

The exhibit, “I Belong Here,” sees artist Lucy Lindell recreate Winnipeg’s museums and galleries to reflect Indigenous values, teachings and identity.

“I wanted to show the beauty of Indigenous cultures, Indigenous ways of knowing,” said Lindell, who is from Eriksdale, Man. “I find so many times we’re having necessary conversations about pain, about intergenerational impacts. But we also have to look at the beauty of who Indigenous people are.

“I’ve drawn different Indigenous teachings, different Indigenous values and my hope is that people can see the beauty of our culture.”

Lindell says the exhibit is very personal, with significant meaning to her.

“Because I made it. I dreamt of this. It came from Spirit,” she said.

“For me, there’s a lot of Métis shame in my family. My dad grew up not knowing he was Métis, but eventually he told me about doing Métis things and how it wasn’t safe. It had to be hidden.

“There was so much racism, abuse and harm simply for being an Indigenous person. And that’s why we see all these impacts today. The systems are still very much against us. And the systems don’t hold these values that I’m sharing here.”

Lindell says reclaiming her identity came at a cost; she felt people in her community – even her father – struggled with accepting it.

“In the end my dad was proud, but he wasn’t always proud of me and how proud I was of being Métis,” Lindell said.

“So part of the process too is, I’m always doing my tobacco prayers. I’m always doing my food offerings. I’m asking the land to help.”

For her exhibit, Lindell used a combination of digital drawings and physical beadwork she created and photographed – a process that took hundreds of hours.

“It takes a long time for some of them, where others they come so easily,” she said.

“It’s about allowing Indigenous people to exist as they are meant to, not in this colonial way that really takes away from truthful identities.”

Visitors can read Lindell’s story and her words behind her art in both English and Michif.

Lindell hopes the exhibit, which was born out of a residency with the Manitoba Museum under the direction of Dr. Amelia Fay, even encourages others to “just go for it.”

“Do your creating,” she said. “Listen to your heart. It’s not about making anybody else happy, it’s really about doing what’s in your heart. And that’s when you know you’re living your purpose.”

Indigenous guests at the Manitoba Museum can see “I Belong Here” at no charge.