“1828: The Journey”

This piece, titled 1828: The Journey, is a visual commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the historic migration of the Drummond Island voyageurs, soldiers, and Métis people to Penetanguishene in November of 1828.

As a Métis artist, I created this painting to honour the strength, spirit, and resilience of my ancestors who journeyed these cold and snowy white capped waterways in November of 1828 with courage and hope. The landscape is rooted in familiarity—windswept pines, ancient rock, and deep waters—but it is the sky that holds the story.

The sweeping sash of vibrant dots across the sky represents the Métis sash, a symbol of unity, identity, and interwoven heritage. It flows like the water routes taken by our people—ribbons of tradition, struggle, and pride winding across the land and into our future.

The swirling sky evokes both motion and memory, drawing the eye into the celestial path that guided those who made The Journey in 1828. It is a sky filled with spirit and determination, linking generations through story and paint.

1828: The Journey is more than a painting; it is a celebration of cultural survival, of community, and of the enduring connections between land, water, and identity. 

Prints are available, please email: pattibelangerart@gmail.com to inquire.

Year: 2025
Dimensions: 36"W x 18"H
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas 
Collections: All Paintings, Abstract, Acrylic on Canvas, Large Paintings, Paintings over $2430.00