By Haley Bassett, April 11th, 2022

This week, I had the privilege of speaking with Lynette La Fontaine, a Métis, Two-Spirit, mixed-media visual artist who utilizes traditional and contemporary materials and knowledge in their work. Lynette will serve as a juror alongside painter Cara Guri for the Open Sky - Peace Liard Regional Art Exhibition, opening from May 6th to May 30th at the Tumbler Ridge Visitor Centre. Artists from across Northeastern BC are invited to submit artwork of all forms; the deadline to register is April 22nd.

Lynette was born in Fraser Lake to a Michif father and settler mother and lived in Fort St James before pursuing a nursing degree at the University of Northern BC in Prince George. Lynette had a typical Métis childhood living closely with the land. However, traditional art forms such as beadwork and hide tanning were not present in their upbringing. Seeking out their culture, Lynette fought to incorporate an intensive Michif language camp organized by Métis Nation BC into their nursing degree. The program brought together learners and fluent speakers from several generations for weeklong camps from 2007 to 2010. Lynette attended the program all four years, while their children also participated for two.

Through the Michif language camps, Lynette began to volunteer with Métis elders, from whom they received a handout on beading by renowned Métis artist Jennine Krauchi. With the booklet, Lynette learned the two-needle method independently. They admit to feeling a tinge of shame for having to learn beadwork on their own. However, they now realize that this cultural loss results from generational trauma. “I don’t need to be ashamed that I had to learn this on my own. I didn’t have someone in my family”, says Lynette. This stigma is a common hurdle for many Métis artists working to rekindle their traditions, making Lynette’s story an inspiration to many.

Since 2007, they have cultivated their skills through independent study and mentorships with knowledge holders in many traditional practices, including moccasin making, whitefish scales, hide tanning, and tufting art. “I am a lifelong learner,” says La Fontaine, “I am always mentoring and being mentored. It is a reciprocal cycle.” Lynette has committed themselves to Métis cultural maintenance and actively builds capacity in others through mentorships so that they may pass on these teachings themselves. Lynette's generous reciprocity has bolstered Métis cultural awareness and vibrancy, and cemented their place as a leading artist in the Métis community.