
Prince George-based artist Erin Stagg is telling the story of the Métis throughout the region. Her
exhibition “Otipemisewak: The People Who Own Themselves,” which was on display at Two Rivers
Gallery earlier this year will travel throughout the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George from June to
November, starting in the District of Mackenzie.
The title of Stagg’s exhibition comes from a name the Cree gifted to the Métis many years ago. “Otipemisewak,” which translates to “the people who own themselves,” refers to the Métis identity as not partly European and partly Indigenous, but entirely their own. This independence, resilience, and
indomitable spirit was beautifully captured in Stagg’s series of acrylic paintings, which illustrates stories of the Métis people through the lens of her own family history.
Stagg’s paintings combine depictions of hardships and triumphs experienced by her ancestors with
dreamlike references to her family’s practice of beadwork, weaving a tapestry of art and story that are
inseparably entwined. This visual approach to storytelling allows viewers a rare window into the lives of the Métis and how their lives affected, and were affected by, the shaping of Canada as a nation.
Stagg’s work reminds her audience that depictions of this country’s history are often one-sided, and her paintings emphasize the great value in understanding the other undervalued perspectives.
When asked about sharing her work with the communities of northern B.C., Stagg said: “Growing up in
this area, I was never exposed to Métis stories. I didn’t know what it meant to be Métis. There was a
stigma to being Métis that stopped our stories from being passed down. This collection brings the stories of my family history to light and celebrates them in a loving way. My hope is that other Métis people might find a sense of kinship and love for their own family stories.”
Travelling Exhibition Details
“Otipemisewak: The People Who Own Themselves” will leave Two Rivers Gallery and travel to
Mackenzie, Valemount, and McBride throughout the summer and fall of 2023. The exhibition will visit
Mackenzie Community Arts Centre from June 22 to July 30, Valemount Museum and Archive from
August 15 to September 26, and Valley Museum and Archives from October 17 to November 17.
To find out more about opening receptions and acrylic painting workshops with Erin Stagg in these
communities, reach out to the venue nearest you.