Local artist creates interactive labyrinth to celebrate Metis culture

“[I] designed the concept of this horse labyrinth from my Mother Earth Colouring and Activity Book, and is inspired by Metis horse culture,” she explained. “The labyrinth is in my colouring book, so I brought my colouring book page to the earth. Nice to take something on paper and put it on the land.”

(Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

The labyrinth is interactive and allows people to walk in a circular path until they reach the middle, where they can then sit on a log and be at peace.

“A labyrinth is one way in and one way out,” Dorion continued. “You have to work your way to center and then you work your way back, and it’s a very calming, peaceful, meditative way to be in circles. Go right to your center and then walk and walk your way back out. It’s very centering. We need healing and this is a great space for it.”

The installation is made up of items all found from the earth.

Rocks and wooden stakes line the path while woven willow branches create a makeshift wall around the edge. Various pieces of cloth were tied to the stakes to create the same illusion of horses running, while orange ribbons were tied to the woven willow branches to symbolize reconciliation.

Elder Curtis Breton ties some cloth onto the stakes. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

“It’s to give the installation movement because when you’re riding a horse, hair flies, clothes fly. It’s also prayer cloth and I want it to really move the energy so that it there’s a lot of movement and it catches your eye and it feels like you’re literally riding a horse.”

Cutouts of buffalo and white spirit horses are displayed throughout the path that show English writing on one side and Michif on the other. The buffalo were designed by previous students with the project, while the white spirit horses were made to ‘chase’ the bison around the installation, representing horseback culture and a Buffalo hunt culture.

“It’s an artist’s dream [to see ideas come to life] and I love being that. I can take a pattern I designed and have my team learn how to do it. Now they can all do it. They know how it works.”

(Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

Dorion was joined by her team of Ashley Smith, Louis Lafferty, and Elder Curtis Breton along with a few volunteers in creating the installation, including Lana Wilson. Wilson has worked at the Mann Art Gallery for a decade and has worked with Dorion for seven years. She said they will be holding events at the display throughout September.

“There’s two other days that Leah is going to be here doing some programming on September 27th for a culture days event,” Wilson explained, noting she’s had a hand in creating the last four of Dorion’s outdoor installations. “She is going to be talking about the labyrinth and the process and sharing some Metis teachings, and then she’ll be out here again on truth and Reconciliation Day on September 30th.”

The installation will remain in front of the Tourism Centre until the snow falls.

(Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

—

loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

by Logan Lehmann

Local artist creates interactive labyrinth to celebrate Metis culture

What's Trending