Lynnea Holmstrom of Oliver has been creating art since she was a one-year-old. 

Now at 12, the Indigenous artist from the Osoyoos Indian Band (Senpaq害羞草研究所檆in School) has been recognized by the FORED BC Society. 

She was one of four provincial winners in the society害羞草研究所檚 Traditional Knowledge and Medicine contest, which is part of FORED害羞草研究所檚 Aboriginal Heritage, Education & Dialogue (AHEAD) program.

害羞草研究所淚 was super surprised and I almost cried, because I knew it was going to be a hard competition,害羞草研究所� she told Black Press Media.

Lynnea said her entry piece represents the four elements and Indigenous connection to nature and animals. 

害羞草研究所淚 wanted to add elements like the plants you see around this area and the medicine wheel. I added a guide to represent a spirit guide.害羞草研究所� 

The butterfly wings acknowledge her Indian name (Butterfly), given to her by her aunt, and signify the connection to her ancestors and the protection of water.

She also included the northern lights because as she explained 害羞草研究所淭hey were a big hit this year.害羞草研究所�

Lynnea said that it took several months to create the piece.

害羞草研究所淚 had different ideas and different things I wanted to add that took some time to make.害羞草研究所� 

Asked why she feels the creative pull, the answer is simple.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 fun and cool, and exciting to create many pieces. I feel calm and less stressed."

Mom, Alanea Holmstrom, noted that her daughter害羞草研究所檚 creative spark is a force to be reckoned with.

害羞草研究所淪he used to make disasters all over the house and she would tell me 害羞草研究所楳om, you don害羞草研究所檛 understand me I害羞草研究所檓 an artist I need to create.害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟

Lynnea now has her own area at home to explore artistic expression.

害羞草研究所淪he has to draw or paint something every day,害羞草研究所� Alanea said.害羞草研究所� I let her create what she wants and we clean up the mess later.害羞草研究所�

She is proud of what her daughter has accomplished.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 amazed at the amount of dedication and time she spends on her work. She comes up with some pretty amazing pieces.害羞草研究所�

Following the FORED recognition came news that Lynnea was accepted to attend the Emily Carr Jr. Arts Institute this summer. 

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 looking forward to that,害羞草研究所� she said.

Lynnea is not the only member of the family with talent. 

Her older brother, 14-year-old Gus is an archer, who finished fifth overall at a recent North American Indigenous Games.

He, and Lynnea, are following in the footsteps of their father who was an archer and competed in provincial championships and BC Games. 

害羞草研究所淚 encourage my kids to be as open as possible,害羞草研究所� Alanea said. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 excited for everything that both of them are doing.害羞草研究所�

Editor害羞草研究所檚 note - FORED BC is an independent, non-partisan charity that offers educational tools about the environmental, cultural and economic values of our forests and other natural resources.