REMEMBERING BATOCHE BY CHRISTI BELCOURT

Grateful and excited, we have just received delivery of this amazing handknotted rug. A new addition to the Storytelling Collection, Remembering Batoche is our painstakingly-recreated rug design from the painting by Métis artist Christi Belcourt that was inspired by the story of the Bell of Batoche. During the 1885 Resistance, when the Métis fought Canada over promised land rights that have never been fulfilled, the bell was stolen by three Canadian government soldiers and taken to Millbrook, Ontario. It was used as the fire hall bell and put on display at the local Royal Canadian Legion Branch. In 1991, the bell was taken from Millbrook by several Métis men and in July 2013 was repatriated to the Métis in a special ceremony in Batoche. The bell has always been an important cultural symbol for the Métis, and is now a potent metaphor representing the reclaiming of Métis history. The bell is represented by a red bell flower in the centre.

“I wanted to commemorate all the Métis soldiers who fought and died for the protection of their land and their families,” said Belcourt.

Project: Storytelling Collection - Remembering Batoche

Original artwork: Christi Belcourt

Rug: Handknotted, 100% Ghazni wool, made in Afghanistan through UK-based charity Turquoise Mountain under fair trade conditions overseen by Swiss NGO Label STEP.

Creative Matters is a Certified STEP Fair Trade Partner. Learn more about STEP's ongoing commitment to fair trade and humanitarianism in Afghanistan here. Learn more about Turquoise Mountain here.

Learn more about internationally renowned artist Christi Belcourt and her artwork process.

See the rest of the Storytelling Collection