beadwork as an expression of metis culural identity
...esulted in the traditions of their beadwork and the contribute to their wardrobe, that would set them apart from others and it gave them pride. The Metis beadwork was unique. Most beadwork was done by Metis of french and catholic backgrounds. Woolen drygoods and beading materials were purchased by the Metis, these were related to the productions of their beadwork, it was most popular with catholic Metis and they were the primary producers of beadwork. The Oblates arrrived in the early eighteenth century and this led to a change in beadwork from geometric patterns to colorful patterns and this influence came from the grey nuns, who taught eucational subjects and household art to many Metis. The grey nuns decorated the interior of their cathoral adn native women came to copy these designs and used them in their beadwork. Another influence was the Parison embroidery pattern book, that contains floral motfits and are found in Metis beadwork. David Penney's study of floral decoration reinforces that the strong and indenpendent nature of the culture of Metis were represented in their artistic styles and that mofits selected were to do with a particular time and reason. The floral decorations operated on two levels, the mimetic which means the representation and the semiosic which means the meaning and intension. The Metis floral imagery was a deflection of institutional symbols of authority and power. The art of the beadwork was mostly passed on from mother to daughter adn was around before the arrival of nuns. This means the influences came from other designs used in embroidery and arts. The Ojibwa's art is more geometric than floral and the floral arts are conventionalized, the Cree had the similuar problem. The Metis were known for distinictiveness in their costumes and dresses, they took the best from each of their culture backgrounds and it is showen in many pictures from artists, and they show descriptions of the Metis costumes, dressed in bright colors, semi-European and semi-Indian styles. There are three examples of styles in beadwork that embodies traits of sparkling delicacy adn reflect the charactor of the Metis and they are shown at the st.Boniface museum here, in Winnipeg. These pieces are from family collections from the Lagimoderieres and the Nault-Carrieres. The first is, embroidered leggings that were donated from the Lagimodiere family that were made as a courtship or a wedding gift. The motifs and flower patterns on the leggings are similar tot he sources found in influencing the Metis women in that period, this includes vestments, embroidery pattern books and the complicated floral patterns, identified as Cree of Cree-Metis. These leggings have a complex process in the motif process and color alternations. The ornate decoation was described as using numerous colors and form. The free form composition and the complex usuage is most distinct in separating the Metis people from the Ojibwa, Cree and the Europeans pieces. The complex and non-symmetric composition elements have a trait that indentifies the Metis. The second is a watch pocket and it was owned and used by Jean-Baptiste Lagimodiere. This piece has many interesting qualities including the selection of beads, the motifs that are used, the activity an dbalance within the compostion and the lacking of a symmetrical composition. The...