Honouring Indigenous Presence: New Murals Foster Healing and Cultural Safety
In a powerful expression of healing, identity, and connection, the Indigenous Health team has unveiled two murals on the BC Children’s & BC Women’s hospital (C&W) campus. These are a part of an initiative to foster a more culturally safe and welcoming environment for all patients and families, especially Indigenous peoples.
The murals - “The Journey Through” and “Guardians of the Moon” - were created by Charlene Johnny, a Quw’utsun artist based in Vancouver. They blend traditional Coast Salish design with modern aesthetics. Drawing inspiration from nature and Indigenous teachings, Johnny’s artwork is rich in cultural symbolism and storytelling, honoring the land, waters, and peoples of Turtle Island.
I hope that when Indigenous people walk through the hospital and see these images, they feel seen, safe, and supported,” said artist Charlene Johnny. “Every creature, every plant, every design has a purpose. It’s not just art; it’s a story of connection and care.”
These vibrant pieces are part of a broader effort across PHSA to make health care settings reflect and celebrate Indigenous peoples. The murals centre Indigenous presence, perspectives, and stories, bringing cultural teachings into hospital spaces.
“The work of bringing murals from our Host Nation artists helps us to celebrate the strength, resilience, and beauty of culture” says Nicole Esligar, program manager, Indigenous Patient and Family Experience, C&W. “They bring teachings, stories, and presence into the hospital, creating a space where Indigenous patients and families can feel recognized and respected. More than art, they are reminders that Indigenous knowledge and identity are essential to health and healing, and that health care can be a place of belonging, dignity, and cultural safety.”
The Journey Through
Spanning an entire hallway on the second floor in the Teck Acute Care Centre, “The Journey Through” is a vivid and emotional tribute to the experiences of those navigating pregnancy and childbirth. One side of the mural flows like the ocean - bull kelp, sea urchins, and humpback whales animate a water world filled with life and resilience. A mother otter cradles her pup, salmon return to spawn, and a turtle carries wisdom through deep currents.
On the opposite wall, the mural is grounded in the land. A wolf gazes forward with a butterfly on its nose, surrounded by hummingbirds, bees, cedar, and blackberry blossoms. A bear and her cub embody protection and maternal strength. These images form a unified story of transformation, reminding viewers that they are held by generations past, and by the land and water that sustain life.
Guardians of the Moon
Perched above the two doorways of the Indigenous Patient Navigator offices, an eagle and a raven keep watch. Their steady presence marks a space of care, transition, and quiet resilience. Between them, the moon glows, framed by orange petals and wreath of cedar boughs - symbols of renewal, healing, and the cycles of life.
The eagle brings strength and vision, while the raven offers wisdom and transformation. Together, they stand as guardians of this space, holding the stories of those who pass beneath them.
The murals serve as more than mere decorations; they embody a vital expression of Indigenous presence, values, and world view within a health care environment. These artworks provide comfort, dignity, and representation for Indigenous patients, who often encounter systemic racism and isolation in medical settings. By integrating Indigenous art, we are taking steps towards cultural safety, infusing respect, stories, and strength into the very walls of care.
The presence of this art does not just enhance the aesthetics of the space; it fosters a sense of belonging and validates identity. It sends a powerful message: Indigenous voices and ways of knowing are not only welcomed but essential to the care provided. Through these culturally rooted artworks, C&W and the Indigenous Health team are advancing a vision of reconciliation in health care, one where respect, representation, and healing are intertwined and celebrated.