FLA OHT celebrates Indigenous art unveilings across the region
September 9, 2025.
The Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Ontario Health Team (FLA OHT) is proud to celebrate the unveiling of a series of Indigenous artworks at six partner health-care organizations across the region. These unveilings mark the conclusion of the Indigenous Health and Wellness Strategic Advancement in KFL&A initiative—a year-long collaboration between the 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.
“These powerful artworks reflect a commitment toward deeper listening, more inclusive spaces, and stronger partnerships with Indigenous communities,” said Dr. Kim Morrison, Executive Lead, FLA OHT. “They are a visible and lasting reminder of our shared responsibility to build a more equitable and culturally safe health system.”
Created by Indigenous artists from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Napanee, and Kingston, in close collaboration with Elders and Knowledge Keepers, each piece includes a teaching or narrative that celebrates and honours Indigenous approaches to health and well-being. Developed as part of the Indigenous Spaces and Places in Health Care stream of the broader initiative, the artworks contribute to more welcoming and culturally reflective care environments. Installations have taken place at:
- 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
- Addiction and Mental Health Services KFL&A
A final art unveiling will take place at Lennox and Addington County General Hospital later this fall.
“These pieces, visioned by Indigenous creatives, are beyond art: they are medicine and they matter,” added Pytor Hodgson, Three Things Consulting. “The teachings and spirit of each are important and act as a pathway to healing. They are creating spaces and places in health care where Indigenous Peoples, families, health professionals, and all staff and visitors are reminded we are here, we are deserving of equitable health services, and we belong.”
Wendy Vuyk, Director of Community Health at Kingston Community Health Centres, commented that “KCHC is honoured to be taking part in this initiative that while long overdue, is now leading health care organizations to adopt policies and create spaces where Indigenous Peoples will hopefully feel that ‘there is no wrong door’ when accessing health care in our community. We want to be part of a movement where parents, children and youth in particular will see Indigenous culture in our collective health care spaces as the new normal and a positive ripple effect will be created.”
The initiative also supported two additional streams of work. Through the Listening, Learning, and Cultural Capacity Building stream, staff from FLA OHT partner organizations participated in full-day Wellness and Awareness Circles and virtual learning sessions that deepened cultural understanding and supported meaningful action toward reconciliation. As part of the Culturally Respectful and Relevant Policies, Processes, and Procedures stream, policy reviews and development work with five partner organizations led to the creation of new and enhanced policies that support more inclusive, culturally safe care environments for Indigenous clients, staff, and volunteers.
Although the initiative has formally concluded, efforts to advance Indigenous health equity across the region continue. The FLA OHT and its partners remain committed to culturally safe policy development, ongoing education and training, and strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities.
More information is available at flaoht.ca/pages/indigenous-initiatives.