Connected by Spirit: Indigenous art invites reflection, connection, and healing at AMHS-KFLA
October 17, 2025.
When you step into the waiting area at Addiction and Mental Health Services Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (AMHS-KFLA) on Princess Street, colour meets you first—deep blues and bright golds, the glow of Grandmother Moon, the warmth of Grandfather Sun. Then the figures begin to speak: eagle for clarity, bear for strength, wolf for connection. At the centre, a spiral suggests movement and renewal. The painting, Connected by Spirit, doesn’t just fill a wall; it changes how the room feels.
The painting was created by artists Jaylene Cardinal and Dakota Ward of W.C. Creatives as part of Indigenous Health & Wellness Strategic Advancement in KFLA—a year-long collaboration between the Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Ontario Health Team (FLA OHT), Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC), and Indigenous-led consulting firm Three Things Consulting aimed at improving health equity and outcomes for Indigenous Peoples. Through the initiative’s Indigenous Spaces and Places in Health Care stream, Indigenous artwork has been installed across seven health-care sites across our region to support cultural safety and belonging.
Art as medicine
For the artists, this work is about more than that art itself – it’s about what people carry with them when they leave. “Having Indigenous artworks in health-care spaces is vital,” says Jaylene. “They carry stories, traditions, and ways of seeing health that remind us healing is not only physical, but also cultural, emotional, and spiritual. Their presence acknowledges Indigenous identity, respects connection to land, and creates a space where people feel seen, safe, and cared for.”
That idea—art as medicine—shows up in the symbols woven through the piece: the healing hand, the sacred medicine wheel, the teaching of balance, the patterns that filter out negativity and invite harmony. For many visitors, it’s a quiet but steady signal: you belong here.
Betty Jo Dean, the CEO of AMHS-KFLA, underscores the impact of Indigenous representation in care settings. “We know that when people walk into a space that reflects their identity, culture, and lived experience, it can shift how they feel about the care they’re about to receive,” she says. “For many Indigenous clients, navigating mainstream health and mental health systems can carry the weight of historical trauma, systemic barriers, and a lack of cultural safety. Seeing Indigenous art and symbols – seeing themselves reflected in the space – can foster a sense of welcome, trust, and belonging.”
Meaning and impact for the whole community
In the months since Connected by Spirit was unveiled, it is fostering feelings of warmth, inclusion and reflection for the AMHS-KFLA community. Steph, an AMHS client and attendee of the art unveiling, recalls her first impression, “I felt an immediate sense of awe. The artwork didn’t just decorate the space—it transformed it. It invited pause, presence and reflection.” Steph says the piece shifts how the space is experienced, “It made me feel grounded and grateful. There is a quiet power in the work—an offering of medicine for personal and collective healing. It reminded me that wellness is not only clinical, but also cultural, relational, and spiritual.”
Beyond personal impact, Steph sees a wider meaning. “It shows truth is being acknowledged and reconciliation is being practiced, not just spoken about. It affirms that Indigenous ways of knowing and healing belong in every conversation about mental health and addiction. The space feels more honest, inclusive, and alive. I hope it inspires conversations and reminds staff to promote culturally appropriate, holistic care—for generations to come.”
A daily reminder for staff
Staff at AMHS-KFLA say the painting changes the room’s energy, and their own mindset. One team member shared, “I feel happy and inspired each time I walk past this beautiful artwork. It’s a daily reminder of our responsibility to honour and uplift Indigenous communities—and to stay committed to the work required of us as an agency.”
Another reflects on how the painting ties culture and care together, “This painting is more than art; it’s a reminder of the deep connections between culture, healing, and community. It enriches our environment and strengthens our commitment to honour diverse perspectives on wellness and care.”
Making space for cultural safety
AMHS-KFLA’s participation in the Indigenous Spaces and Places in Health Care initiative aligns with its commitments to equity, connection, and community healing. The organization plans to continue partnering with Indigenous artists and communities across the region, embedding cultural safety in its work, and supporting individual recovery and well-being.
Across the region, the FLA OHT celebrates the unveiling and inclusion of Indigenous artworks at seven partner organizations, marking the conclusion of the Indigenous Health & Wellness Strategic Advancement in KFL&A initiative. Installations have also taken place at the South East Health Unit (formerly KFL&A Public Health), Kingston Health Sciences Centre & South East Regional Cancer Program, Queen’s Family Health Team, Kingston Community Health Centres and Lennox and Addington County General Hospital.
Although the initiative has formally concluded, the work continues. The FLA OHT and its partners remain committed to culturally safe policy development, ongoing education and training, and strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities.
Learn more about the FLA OHT’s Indigenous initiatives on our website.
IMAGE of artwork: Connected by Spirit painted by Jaylene Cardinal and Dakota Ward of W.C. Creatives