Blossoms of Culture: Indigenous Art in Flowers

This project, Blossoms of Culture, celebrates Indigenous art through the lens of nature. I draw inspiration from the land that nourishes us, the flowers that bloom as symbols of resilience, and the vibrant expressions of our Indigenous communities. Through each piece, I honour the traditions of storytelling, art, and the timeless connection between the people and the earth.

This acrylic painting is inspired by the sacred image of the water cloth, which holds the mother and child and embodies strength and empowerment. Water, as the lifeblood of all, is central to this work, and the strawberry—an ancient plant medicine—carries teachings that nurture the connection between mind, body, spirit, and emotions. The strawberry, a gift from the Earth, is often shared with young women to teach them about love, womanhood, and their place in the circle of life.

Calla Lilies among the Stars was created during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a period of deep reflection, where I found solace and strength in the land. As I navigated being pregnant with my third child, homeschooling my children, and working remotely to earn my diploma in Early Childhood Education from Red River College, I needed an outlet to ground myself. That outlet became gardening. I began planting a variety of flowers, perennials, annuals, vegetables, and fruit, and I grew especially fond of the sunflowers that reached towards the sky, mirroring the way I longed for hope and growth during those isolating months. Among all the plants, my white calla lilies became particularly special. One night, as my husband and I sat on the deck, we noticed how the moonlight made the lilies glow. At that moment, I felt deeply connected to the land, the stars, and to something much greater than myself. My husband, with his gentle reassurance, reminded me that everything would fall into place, just as the Creator has a plan for all things. The lilies, glowing under the moon’s light, became a symbol of faith and trust in the Creator’s timing. This painting captures that feeling of peace and trust. It serves as a reminder that even in times of uncertainty, like the dark sky or the isolation of the pandemic, there is always light, sometimes quiet and gentle, like the glow of the lilies in the night. It is through these silent moments that we find a connection to the Creator and the cycles of life that continue to unfold, just like the flowers we tend to. This piece, like the act of gardening itself, became a meditation on patience, growth, and the cycles that mirror our own lives. It is a celebration of resilience—the resilience of the land, of the flowers, and me, as I continue to nurture my family and my journey.

I created it for my mother on her wedding day. The three lilies in the painting represent significant milestones in her life—past, present, and future—and are a tribute to her strength, resilience, and the sacred journey she has taken.

Each flower tells a story:

The past lily is a symbol of the strength my mother has drawn upon throughout her life. It honours the challenges she has overcome and the wisdom gained from those experiences. This lily is grounded in the earth, reflecting the endurance and grounding forces of the ancestors that have shaped her path.

The present lily blooms brightly, representing the beauty of the life she has created with her family. It is a reminder to celebrate the love, joy, and blessings of the here and now—the life that she has nurtured, just as one would care for a garden with patience and grace.

The future lily reaches toward the sky, embodying my wishes for my mother’s journey ahead. It is a prayer for continued blessings, good health, and prosperity. With the Creator’s guidance, I hope her path is filled with abundance, peace, and joy, just as the Creator blesses all things with growth and new beginnings.

In creating this piece, I also draw upon the traditions of Indigenous storytelling and symbolism. Flowers, like our ancestors, carry deep meanings—they connect us to the land, to the cycles of life, and the strength of our communities. Through the calla lilies, I honour my mother’s journey, past and present, and ask for blessings on the future she is about to embrace.

This painting is a representation of the tiger lilies I first encountered as a child. In 2011, I created this piece, inspired by a memory that has stayed with me throughout the years. I was visiting my Aunty Leanna in Regina, Saskatchewan, and I remember the vivid reddish-orange tiger lilies that bloomed so beautifully in her front yard, as well as in the yards of our neighbours. The flowers seemed to bring warmth to the fall air, and their colours stood out like a greeting from the land itself. This memory marks one of my earliest experiences of leaving Peguis First Nation and stepping into a new world—one that was still connected to family, but with unfamiliar landscapes. The tiger lilies, with their vibrant hue and delicate form, became symbolic of that journey, representing the beauty of family, nature, and the act of crossing borders, whether physical or emotional. This painting, like my memory, celebrates the connection to the land, the blooms that remind us of home, and the deep ties that bind us to both our roots and our experiences of growth. The tiger lily, for me, is more than just a flower; it is a reminder of the bonds we share with the earth, with one another, and with the places that shape our stories.