Métis Artrepreneur Program

Cultural history is so important to me that it is a part of everything I do. I was born in Athabasca, Alberta, Canada making me the 5th generation in my father’s family to live in that place. My father, Ken Gullion’s Métis heritage connects me to the Métis Homeland of Red River with family names Brabant, Brazeau, and to Métis and Cree communities in Alberta through the family name Nipissing. My great grandmother, Margaretta Brazeau received ‘Halfbreed land scrip’ as did her son, my great grandfather, Franklin Gullion. Land scrip was issued to Métis people in Canada in late 1800’s to early 1900’s as an attempt to extinguishing their land rights. My father’s settler-ancestry reaches back to Scotland with family name, Gullion, and Poland with family name, Yaromy. My mother, Loretta Gullion comes from Berezan, Kozniuk settler families from the Ukraine who brought their rich cultural practices with them, marking the changes in their agricultural seasons with food, celebration and beautifully decorated art forms.

A Métis (otipemisiwak) visual artist with roots in northern Saskatchewan, as well as the historic Métis community of Red River settlement. They grew up on the traditional, unceded Dakelh territory of the Stella’ten and now currently reside in the traditional Lekwungun (Songhees and Xwsepsum Nations). Their work is inspired by connection to the land, heart, spirit, ancestors, as well as teachings from Elders and knowledge holders. With the intent to honour these connections, they utilize their preferred media of traditional and contemporary beadwork, whitefish scales, tufting, porcupine quills, fur, mixed media, acrylic painting and fabrics.