I see historical maps as drafted diagrams representing human settlements, pathways, and ‘ownership’ of land and resources which capture a mapmaker’s priorities at a single point in time. On this map of ‘New Caledonia’ drawn in 1907, there is no account of the land activities and worldview of the original people who make this their home. My response is to ‘counter-map’ a beaded spiral of flowers to challenge western ideas of geography, borders, boundaries, possession, economic, social and cultural relations.
The beaded spiral carries a metaphorical meaning similar to the ‘Forget-me-not’ flower which in European folklore symbolizes remembrance, devotion, and grief beyond death. My spiral of beaded flowers is an expression of my Métis culture, offering a similar sentiment of remembrance for the communities whose interests were not represented in this diagram.