Roots of Healing: Artwork brings strength and connection to Juravinski Hospital’s new Indigenous Healing Space
When Indigenous artist Anthony (T.J.) Henhawk learned about the opportunity to create artwork for the new Indigenous Healing Room at Hamilton Health Sciences’ Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre (JHCC), he immediately knew where to start: the Tree of Peace, or white pine.
“The Tree of Peace for me, especially in Haudenosaunee culture, represents strength,” he says. “When I was looking at this project, what came to me was strength and roots. There are different tales and stories and legends that talk about the Tree of Peace and different references of how the people are in your life are roots and branches and leaves. This describes the way your life grows from a seedling.”
His piece, titled The Great Pine: Roots of Healing, is a vibrant digital painting created specifically for the new Indigenous Healing Room at JHCC.
“I wanted to put little orbs around the tree to show the spirits that may have moved on from us to be surrounding the tree itself,” Henhawk says. “My grandmother passed away from cancer and recently my uncle passed away from cancer. They both went to Juravinski. So those orbs are representative to me as the spirits that have moved on.”
A space for reflection and healing
Nathaniel Sault, Tracey MacArthur, Sonya Sault and Ken Sault at the recent HHS Orange Shirt Day ceremony. The Indigenous Healing Room at McMaster Children’s Hospital is named for Makayla Sault, who passed away from leukemia in 2015 at age 11. Her life has inspired transformative, healing work for countless other Indigenous patients and families at Hamilton Health Sciences. Her legacy and spirit will never be forgotten.
The Indigenous Healing Room, located on the main floor of JHCC next to Wellwood Cancer Support Centre, is designed as a space for ceremony and cultural connection. It is part of the hospital’s commitment to reconciliation and to improving the care experience for Indigenous patients, families and staff.
The space was developed in collaboration with Wellwood, the Indigenous Cancer Program and the Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation, whose donors provided generous financial support.
To choose artwork for the space, JHCC and the Regional Cancer Care Program issued a call for Indigenous artists from across the region to submit ideas that reflected themes of healing, unity, and Indigenous teachings. Submissions were reviewed by a panel that included Indigenous partners from Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit, as well as hospital staff. Artist names were kept anonymous to ensure a fair and equitable process, and final selections were voted on by Indigenous community members connected with De dwa da des nye Aboriginal Health Centre, the Native Women’s Centre, and friendship centres.
Dr. Chris Hillis spoke at the HHS Orange Shirt Day ceremony and launch of the Indigenous Health Plan.
Henhawk’s work was one of two pieces selected through this process. The second piece is by artist Cody Houle, titled Seven Grandfather Teachings.
Dr. Chris Hillis, interim vice president, oncology and site executive for JHCC, says “With the opening of this new Indigenous healing space, Indigenous patients, families, staff and community members will have a dedicated place to gather for reflection and healing, supported by traditional teachings and practices.”
Creating a sense of hope
Henhawk lives in Toronto but has roots at Six Nations. He says he wants people who see the artwork to feel hope and connection. He was also intentional about using bright colours.
“I’ve been to hospitals a lot and I’ve had many friends and family members who have been diagnosed.” Henhawk says. “It was a very dry and white and clinical environment. And I was always thinking they should brighten it up. So when people are looking around, you’re not just looking at a TV or magazine. You can actually look at the art and visualize that those spirits are still with us.”
“We’re all connected,” he says. “That’s why all the lines are interconnected as they go around the tree. That’s how I feel when I have friends or family members who have passed on. That we are still connected and that it doesn’t end.”
Art as part of the healing journey
Anissa Hilborn, Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation CEO, stands in front of artwork by Cody Houle titled Seven Grandfather Teachings. The Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation was instrumental in funding the new Indigenous Healing Space.
For Henhawk, this project was about more than just creating a painting. It was part of his own journey of processing grief.
“It’s really been full circle for me working on this art. I personally believe that death isn’t the end of what’s going to happen,” he says. “We do go on and we are all connected into a web of consciousness together. There is another energy that we are going to go on to. We don’t just go out like a candle. And I feel solace and I feel content knowing that.”
With its themes of strength, connection, and continuity, The Great Pine: Roots of Healing is a fitting focal point for the Indigenous Healing Room.
Learn more about Hamilton Health Sciences’ Indigenous Health Plan and other ways we are advancing on our journey towards reconciliation as an organization.
View T.J. Henhawk art and design work
View Cody Houle artwork @Houlefineart on Instagram
