Reconciliation Through Art Returns to Mississippi Valley Textile Museum

Tony Belcourt, Métis Elder and founding President of the Métis Nation of Ontario, returned to the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum for the second installment of his powerful exhibit, Reconciliation Through Art. The exhibition brought together a diverse group of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists, each using their craft to explore what Truth and Reconciliation means to them — personally, culturally, and collectively.

The walls of the museum were filled with colour, symbolism, and emotion — a visual conversation between history and healing. Each piece told its own story, inviting visitors to reflect on Canada’s colonial past and the ongoing journey toward understanding and repair.

“We were never taught about this stuff growing up,” says Métis artist Fern Burntwood, pausing in front of her work. “It’s important to recognize what they did to our children and women.”

Her words echo a common theme among the artists — the need for visibility, remembrance, and truth-telling. Through their art, they confront painful histories while also celebrating Indigenous strength, identity, and survival.

That is exactly what Belcourt hopes this exhibit will continue to inspire: art as a bridge between communities, a way to spark dialogue and compassion.

Métis artist Patti Belanger contributes vibrant paintings inspired by the landscapes of Georgian Bay, where she grew up. Her work is a blend of memory, emotion, and ancestral connection — the blues and greens of the shoreline mingling with the quiet resilience of her people.

“My art is a reflection of how I feel about the place that I live, my ancestors, and creating beauty,” says Belanger. “It’s a way of honouring where I come from and who came before me.”

Although many of the artists expressed hope and healing through their creations, Mitch Case, PCMNO Representative for MNO Region 4, reminded attendees that the work of reconciliation is far from complete.

“Out of the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, fewer than 15 have been implemented,” Case noted, underscoring the gap between promises and progress.

His words grounded the event in reality — a reminder that reconciliation requires more than art, words, or good intentions. It demands action, accountability, and sustained effort from every level of society.

Still, for those who walked through the exhibit, there was a palpable sense of hope — that through creativity and community, change can take root. Reconciliation Through Art stands as both a tribute to Indigenous resilience and a call for continued awareness, learning, and empathy.