Woman Working On Buffalo Hide

About

MetisCaron: Be Authentic

Rooted in honesty, authenticity, and respect, Adele’s art celebrates the beauty of animals and nature while advocating for cultural integrity and environmental stewardship. Each creation is a testament to Adele’s values, a blend of artistic uniqueness and social consciousness. 

Traditional Nehiyaw Michif Introduction.

Tan’si, maskwasowiskwew nitsihkason. Niyanehiyaw ekwa apihtawihkosisan. Prince George ochi niya, poko unceded Quw’utsun aski newikin mekwac. Mi familee du nom nimaman est Allary, Beauchemin, Gariepy, Gardipee, Henry, LaPlante, LaVallee, McGillis, Morin, Oulette, Paul, Parenteau, Sauve, est Trottier. Ekwa nipapa: Caron, Boyer, Branconnier, Dumas, Ducharme, Pilon, est St. Germaine ekwa mistahi ayiwak. 

Bio

Adele ᒪᐢᑿᓱᐤᐏᐢᑵᐤ Arseneau is a disabled Nehiyaw/Michif multidisciplinary artist who creates bespoke works for galleries, private collections, and public art commissions. With over 40 years of lived experience in her culture, she is a recognized knowledge keeper and a current Elder-in-Training. 

Cultural And Artistic Foundation

Adele’s artwork is deeply grounded in storytelling, a practice through which she engages audiences by weaving connections to cultural, social, and environmental issues. This approach is a reflection of her family’s way of teaching and sharing knowledge. Displaced from her family’s traditional territory in Northern Saskatchewan, Adele was raised among the Dakelh (Carrier) people in Prince George and Fraser Lake, British Columbia. 

This unique upbringing influenced her artistic journey, moving her away from the traditions of her adopted family towards those of her biological heritage. 

Woman And Dog

Artistic Practices and Mediums

Adele’s work spans a variety of mediums, including cedar carving, contemporary and traditional Métis and plains-style beadwork, hide textiles, and digital art. Her diverse skills allow her to express her cultural background and personal experiences through multiple artistic forms. 

Education and Mentoring

Adele has completed the Reconciliation Carving program at Langara and holds diplomas in Fine Art and Graphic Design. She also finished a hide tanning residency in 2019 with Fern and Roe. She mentors upcoming hide tanners, passing on her knowledge and skills to the next generation. 

Professional Affiliations and Exhibitions

A member of multiple art collectives and councils, Adele is currently involved with the Triia Native Art Collective in Montana, Cowichan Valley Arts Council, Art Council of Ladysmith and District, North Vancouver Arts Council, Seymour Art Gallery, CARFAC, and serves as a consultant for the Canadian Association of Geographers. Her work has been showcased in galleries from North Vancouver to Toronto since 2015, including public art commissions with the City of Vancouver. 

Vision and Contribution

Adele is dedicated to authentically and ethically reconnecting with her culture through her art. She eagerly looks forward to the evolution of her artistic journey, contributing significantly to the cultural landscape and inspiring a new generation of artists and audiences alike. 

Artist Statement

“My work is about stories and sharing awe through detail. We are the stories we hear and tell each other, this is our world. Through story we find connection, and relation to one another’s experiences.” This is my language, these are my stories. “ 

Kininaskometin/Maarsii (thank you), 
ᒪᐢᑿᓱᐤᐃᐢᑵᐤ