New First Nations art celebrates the sacred dress

Artist Lita Fontaine still remembers the image clearly: her mother, bent over a colourful piece of cloth, carefully sewing, stitchingand working the fabric into the shape of a dress.

"To me, the dresses were her way of showing beauty and pride for me and my sisters,"Fontaine said. As a First Nations woman, its a sacred item.

From those first childhood memories of her mother hard at work, Fontaine has been captivated by the traditional cloth and hide garments of indigenous Plains women. Growing up in Winnipegs North End and attending powwows with her family, she dreamed of one day owning one of the carefully constructed outfits.

The dress has just always been there, and has stayed with me,Fontaine said.Its still there.

Speaking to the celebrated local artist, its easyto see why shes chosen to title her latest exhibition 'Saksania'- the Dakota word for dress. The exhibit, which honours the garmentand its importance in Fontaines Dakota and Anishinaabe heritage, runs at the Urban Shaman Gallery until October 19th.

Featuring dresses the artist has sewn and manipulated through collage, mixed-media and photography techniques, the showexplores the deep personal significance of these sacred cultural symbols.

Im hoping that this exhibition will help people embrace the culture more than they do,Fontaine said.I know about the struggles and hardships we have as First Nations women - but I also see so much beauty.

Celebrating art and beauty is a big part of Fontaines day-to-day life. For 13 years, shes worked as the Artist in Residence for the Seven Oaks School Division - helping incorporate art experiences into the curriculum and the lives of students.

I have the best job in the world, Fontainelaughed. I get to do art and be with kids every day.

Saksaniaruns at the Urban Shaman Gallery (290 McDermot Ave.) until October 19th