Erin Marie Konsmo (she/they) is a an Alberta-raised Métis Prairie queer (citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation) visual artist, registered harvester and fisher. They are also a mind-body coach and somatic practitioner. Their arts practice currently focuses on fish scale art, an art form they are being mentored into by Métis artist Jaime Morse. Fish scale art is a land-based arts practice that includes catching whitefish, processing and cleaning the scales, then dyeing them to be manipulated into fish scale artwork.
What is Fish Scale Art?
Fish scale art is a contemporary Métis, Cree and Dene art form originating from northern Alberta that uses whitefish scales to create intricate florals. Estimates of when this art form first began include in the 1960’s in the Lac La Biche area.
Erin was initially taught this art form by Métis artist Jaime Morse, who one day handed them a package of tweezers, Elmer’s glue and their first bag of fish scales processed by her father Randy, a talented Métis fisherman. This art form, like many, is carried on by Métis matriarchs who have for generations carried on this form. Other notable Alberta artists who create fish scale art include Ruby Sweetman, Geraldine Reid, Violet Cardinal and MJ Belcourt to name a few.
Harvesting
Lake whitefish are found across the whole Métis homeland, from the lakes of Lac Ste Anne to the Red River in Winnipeg.
Far before creation occurs, fish scale art is about the practice of being on the water, in relation to other fishers and the process of fishing. Erin is a registered Harvester with the Manitoba Métis Federation and has been setting gill nets for multiple years to harvest fish. This includes knowledge of winter ice fishing, using an ice jigger, knowledge of lakes, the ice and setting nets.
Erin learned to set nets in both Treaty 6 territory as well as Treaty 3 from both Métis and First Nations fishers.
Caring for the Gifts from the Fish
Once fish are harvested, the process of caring for the gifts from the fish begins. The gifts from the fish are numerous; including fish scales, otoliths, vertebrae, fish skin, broth, meat and the head.
These frameworks come from Indigenous teachers such as Métis artist Jaime Morse and Treaty #3 Anishinaabe educator Kaaren Dannenman. When taking an Indigenous trappers course from Kaaren she had us go through and list all the gifts from beaver, a practice in the ethics of honouring the whole life of the animal.
The Manitoba Metis Federation, Métis laws of harvest also remind us when “Harvesting for Sustenance: Don’t waste. Eat what you kill and if there are other uses for the animal, try to do that.”
