Metis Artists Pay Tribute to Georgian Bay

The Gifts of Georgian Bay: A Metis Celebration and Appreciation of Water and Earth is a labour of love curated by Metis Artist and Drummond Island descendant Laura-Lee Kearns. Kearns worked with the Penetanguishene Centennial Museum to bring together a showing of Metis artists from the Historical Georgian Bay Metis Community.

Artists featured in the exhibit include beader Vicki Jenkins, Joe Jesseau, whose beaded vest will be a permanent feature at an upcoming Drummond Island exhibit at the museum, and quilter Theresa Lafreniere-Fama.

Theresa Lafreniere-Fama created a quilt, Beauty From Above, specifically for the exhibit, an aerial image of Georgian Bay during a beautiful sunrise. “It started because of the memories that I had. I wanted the memories to live on forever. I wanted them to be passed down to my descendants because they are so important. They shouldn't be forgotten,” says Lafreniere-Fama, whose other quilts at the exhibit depict Thunder Bay Beach.

Region 7 PCMNO Rep, Greg Garratt, was in attendance at the exhibit opening and emphasized the importance of the exhibit to the community. “We're nearing the 200-year anniversary of the Drummond Island migration in 2028. That commemorative time is going to raise awareness in our community,” says Garratt.

During his time as Georgian Bay Metis Council President, Garratt was part of the team involved in commissioning Joe Jesseau’s beaded vest for the Museum’s upcoming Drummond Island Exhibit.

The Gifts of Georgian Bay: A Metis Celebration and Appreciation of Water and Earth, runs until September 5th at the Penetanguishene Centennial Museum.