LAC LA BICHE - Painting is a very enjoyable activity that promotes relaxation and mindfulness. On Aug. 25, a crowd gathered at McArthur Place Community Hall to practice Métis dot art on candles, as well as learn about traditional medicines and aromas.
The evening of leisure and musical entertainment, called Light the Night, was organized by the Métis Nation of Alberta Department of Health in conjunction with the Lac La Biche branch office of Métis Nation of Alberta Region 1.
Aradhna Chawla, a mental wellness coordinator for the Métis Nation of Alberta, explained that the idea to host the event – the first of its kind to be held anywhere in the province – came from the need to promote mental well-being and community fellowship, while teaching others about Métis culture, particularly artwork.
“Light the Night is all about facilitating wellness and healing, while being a time for friendship and reflection,” Chawla told Lakeland This Week. “And what better way to do this than through candles, which are a symbol of light.”
Because open flames are forbidden inside McArthur Place, the participants used battery operated LED craft candles as well as an artist’s palette of bright acrylic colours to paint a variety of designs and patterns, while relaxing music played in the background. Some participants even added pieces of medicinal plants to their projects.
Dot art – which for centuries has been done on black canvas for better visibility – holds a very significant place within Métis culture, as it imitates beadwork.
“Some Métis artists hold dot art workshops to teach others this historic art form,” Chawla continued. “Although the surfaces and materials have changed over the years, this remains a very strong component of Métis culture.”
After the artwork session had concluded, the Light the Night event featured a meal consisting of a barbecue, salads, and desserts as well as a musical performance by The Nicely Put Together Band, whose lead singer and guitarist, Jim Cardinal, is from Lac La Biche County.
Grace Anne Grant, a community resource coordinator with the Lac La Biche office of Métis Nation of Alberta Region 1, said a great deal of planning went into the inaugural Light the Night event. Part of this planning involved travelling into nearby forests to pick medicinal plants such as horsetail, New England Astor, Old Man’s Beard, wild mint, and others that were used during Thursday’s celebration of Metis art and culture.
“The leftovers from these plants will be used for tea bags and then given to elders and seniors,” Grant said.
She continued by saying that events such as Light the Night are important as community gatherings are a major part of Métis culture.
“When putting this together, we felt it was important to host an event that not only fosters a strong sense of community, but also gives everyone a space in which to feel comfortable,” she said.
