Indigenous Art by Métis Artist Angie Saltman

Tansi (hello), my name is Angie.  Maarsii (thank you) so much for stopping by! This store features authentic Indigenous art, created by me, a Métis Artist, and my design and marketing firm, Saltmedia. 

There are three reasons why I started this store.

1. An elder I respect told me we need to share our gifts with the world, and I happen to love creating art! 

2. I need help paying for university to complete my MBA! Once I am lifted, I’ll help others Indigenous kin with scholarships, training, and more.  

3. Since 2020, I’ve had the dream of creating an Indigenous stock photography website to uplift Indigenous artists so we can authentically share our stories our way and be fairly compensated for them. This store will (hopefully) be the start to help finance that dream and establish a platform and following. Start small, but dream big <3.  

I have some big plans to bring Indigenous art and authentic representation to Canada. Right now, money that could help support community members is going to cultural appropriators at an alarming rate. And traditional stock photography websites are full of images that don’t represent the reality of our lives. It’s time to change that. Will you join me? 

I spent most of my childhood outdoors, horseback riding, camping, gardening, farming, fishing, hunting and playing. My favorite inside activity was drawing. Pencil and paper remain one of my favorites, but I also enjoy sculpting, painting, and graphic design (working in a sign and print shop when I was younger was pretty fun!)  Today, I’m most interested in digital art. I love graphic design, web design, user experience design, and information design!!  

My granny always told me to be proud of our heritage. As a child, I didn’t understand what she meant. But now I understand a bit more, I realize she couldn’t be outwardly proud to be Métis because of forced assimilation from colonial constructs. I am so grateful to have had 46 years with such a kind, sweet and funny soul to learn so much from. 

I am a proud member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. My Métis origins are from the Red River and started with a Cree and Scottish marriage, several generations ago. I also have Ojibway, Anishinaabe, Scottish, English, Ukrainian, and Scandinavian ancestors. I was raised by my Métis side. My granny was born on a reserve in the Interlake Region of Manitoba. She met a soldier (my grandpa) in Winnipeg, and they got married and moved to BC where they settled and grew a big family.  

I went to visit the town and reserve she grew up around. It’s beautiful. The marshes around the huge lakes were exploding with a healthy ecosystem…. Full of diversity and wildlife.  

My great granny was the local midwife, married to a trapper and they traveled around in the dog sled and helped many families around that area. I was proud to discover I had family there, and my great grandparents were remembered. My granny said she wished she would have paid attention to the traditional medicine that her granny used, but she remembers drinking a lot of rat root when she was sick! I cherish every memory she passed on to me. 

Someone wise told me that one of the best things I can do for myself, and others is to share my gifts with the world. My art is a gift to me; I love doing it and it’s an important part of self-care in my life. I hope it will be a gift to you too, or to someone you care for.  

Enjoy and I hope you have a beautiful day!