Crafted to Teach. Built to Remember.

When St. Albert Public Schools approached us with an idea for a cart made for use in the classrooms, we knew this would be more than just a cart. It was an opportunity to create something that allows students to learn about the true history of the Métis people in a fun and tangible way.



At Krtti, we believe that how we live is our culture. That belief is at the core of everything we do, from the materials we source to the way we build each Red River Cart. This half-size cart, now used in classrooms to help students explore Métis history, is a powerful symbol of our past and a tool to shape the future.

Built by Hand, Guided by History

The Red River Cart has long stood as a symbol of Métis ingenuity, resilience, and movement. Entire families relied on them during trade routes, buffalo hunts, and migration across the Prairies. Made without a single nail, each cart was a feat of practical engineering—lightweight, durable, and easily dismantled for river crossings. More than transportation, they were lifelines between communities.

Our half-size version keeps these principles alive. Using mortise and tenon joinery, dished wheels, and solid hardwood, we recreate these carts with deep respect for their origins. Every piece is cut, shaped, and assembled with the same care our ancestors once used. This cart took over 100 hours of meticulous woodcrafting—from shaping the axles to the final touches of fitting each wooden spoke into the dished wheel.

This particular build also included a hand-sewn canvas top, made from heavy-duty natural canvas and hand stitched using sinew for an authentic and lasting finish. The cover is fully removable, allowing students to engage with different elements of the cart’s function and design. And in one of the most meaningful touches, my Grandmother's name "Marie Louise Vandale"  was carefully woodburned into the axel of the cart—a tribute to our family’s connection to this heritage and the generations who continue to guide us.

Whether full-size or tabletop, each cart we build is a tribute to those who came before us and a way to keep their knowledge in motion long into the future.

From Workshop to Classroom

This recent build is now in the hands of educators and students with the St. Albert Public School Board. Designed to be assembled and explored by classes throughout the school system, the cart offers a hands-on connection to the past for students and staff alike. It’s one thing to read about Métis culture—it’s another to build a piece of it with your own hands.

Students are encouraged to work together to understand how the cart fits together, how it was used historically, and how it represents the values and survival of the Métis people. This process turns learning into something felt, not just taught. It’s education rooted in experience, where culture isn’t only discussed, but physically built together.

Why It Matters

As a small Indigenous-owned business, we believe deeply in the power of cultural revitalization. These carts are more than wood and wheels—they’re storytellers. They carry our collective memory and invite others to be part of that story.

We are honoured to support educational initiatives that aim to reconnect young people with Indigenous history in meaningful, tangible ways. When students see, touch, and build these pieces, they don’t just learn—they connect.

The Red River Cart reminds us that our stories are still moving, still evolving. And the more we share them, the more resilient they become.

Want to Bring a Cart to Your School or Community?

We’d love to hear from you. Krtti creates handcrafted Red River Cart replicas—from tabletop to full size—built with traditional techniques and modern intention. Let’s work together to bring culture into the classroom, one cart at a time.



Reach out at kpatterson@krtti.ca or explore more at www.krtti.ca.