metispotato is my creative space. I’m Faith Trottier, a Métis artist, beader, and storyteller.
I’m Red River Métis on both sides of my family and a citizen of the Métis Nation of British Columbia (MNBC). Currently residing between Winnipeg, MB and Vancouver, BC. On my mom’s side, my family received scrip in Round Prairie, Saskatchewan, our traditional wintering site.
I’m a direct descendant of Charles Trottier, and the last person in my family to live there was my great-grandfather Joseph Trottier (Trotchie). My grandfather, Benjamin Trotchie, was born in the Saskatoon road allowance. Our family names are: Trottier, Laframboise, Lemire, Pelletier, Bercier, Martin, Paquet, Beaudry/Gaudry, etc.
On my dad’s side, my family is connected to scrip in Edmonton, though like many Métis families, not all of it was ever received. My grandma grew up around Kinuso and Whitecourt, and we’re part of the Lac Ste. Anne Métis community. Our family names are: L’hirondelle, Bellerose and Delorme, etc.
I grew up moving between different places in BC and Edmonton, and I was raised around a lot of family and community from various West Coast First Nations, which shaped how I understand kinship and care. I was also raised by my late stepdad Jackie, who was Cree from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation. He taught me a lot about showing up in the world and how to be a bougie gamer.
I’ve been raised Métis my whole life – in culture, ceremony, humour, and resilience.
I learned to bead in 2020 from my god-momma Auntie Alma and my mom Cherie. Since then, I’ve learned from a lot of incredible Métis artists and Elders, including Lisa Shepherd, Gregory Scofield, and Elder Denise McCuaig, as well as through sitting in circles, laughing, listening, and learning together.
Alongside my art, I’m a Master’s student in Social Work (Indigenous Knowledges). My work is shaped by both school and lived experience, especially growing up in the child welfare system. A lot of what I make is about identity, care, and finding ways to feel proud of who we are.
I also create the metispotato characters – playful little figures I use to talk about Métis history, everyday life, and contemporary struggles in ways that are accessible and fun. They’re currently being turned into a children’s book series, because I wanted to make the kind of art I wish I had when I was younger.
At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to make things Métis people can see themselves in, and to give some of that pride back to our communities through beadwork, art, and story.