Proudly Adorned: The Tradition of Métis Dog Blankets is an exhibition which features 12 miniature dog blankets created by Métis artists from across British Columbia. All artists in this exhibition were participants in a Métis Heritage Arts Mentorship taught by Cree Métis artist Cynthia Boehm and hosted by Métis Nation of British Columbia's (MNBC) Ministry of Culture, Heritage and Language. Over three months in virtual workshops, participants learned about the history of dog blankets and how to create and sew a mini dog blanket by hand. The dog blankets were then showcased at the Amelia Douglas Institute and in an online exhibition.
Dog blankets (lii koovaart di shyayn)* are decorated blankets worn by dog sled teams. Historically, dog sleds were the preferred method of transporting goods and sometimes people during winter months. The practice of decorating dog teams with colourful blankets appears to have originated in the Red River area but has since spread to many other Métis and First Nations communities. Dog sleds are still used in many northern communities today!
Dog blankets are typically made with wool or velvet and feature floral beadwork or silk embroidery along with the adornment of bells and ribbons. These blankets would be worn upon the arrival of the team to a trading post or community to announce their arrival and for show, a testament to the merriment of the Métis and the pride they felt for their dog teams.
Artists featured (in alphabetical order): Alex Ibbotson, Amanda Anderson, Carly Nabess, Dominique Ring, Jenny Hedberg, Jessica Johnson | čɩgɛtoǰɛ, Linda McCullough, Lisa Shepherd, Mal Blondeau, Marlene Kelly, Mia Yule, Monica Parkinson, Tegan Whitesel
*Southern/Heritage Michif translated by: Elder Norman Fleury, of St. Lazare, MB.