HGMH unveils Indigenous artwork in honor of Truth and Reconciliation Month

Alexandria, Ontario – In honor of Truth and Reconciliation Month, Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital (HGMH) has unveiled artwork titled All good things are medicine by Indigenous artist Dawn Iehstóseranon:ha (She Keeps/Protects The Feathers). The artwork, now displayed prominently at the main entrance of the hospital, serves as a daily reminder of the importance of reconciliation, cultural respect, and healing.

In a special ceremony held at the hospital on September 22, 2025, invited guests, staff, volunteers, and physicians were treated to the unveiling of this powerful art piece. The ceremony was guided by the work of the hospital’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Anti-Racism (IDEA) Committee, and reflects the hospital’s commitment to its core values of Passion, Accountability, Compassion, and Teamwork. The hospital is taking steps in accountability to learn more about Indigenous communities and ensure that reconciliation is more than words, it is action.

Dawn is Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk), Wakhskare:wake (Bear Clan), and a band member of the Mohawks of Akwesasne (Land Where the Partridge Drums). She is the owner and artist at Pass The Feather, where she practices and shares traditional bird medicines. A writer, designer, and cultural advocate, Dawn also founded the Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada, a registered charity dedicated to the reclamation and revitalization of endangered Indigenous art forms.

A survivor of the Sixties Scoop, Dawn was apprehended at birth and placed into foster care, a practice that paralleled the residential school system and resulted in the forced assimilation of thousands of Indigenous children. Her life and work are now dedicated to cultural reclamation and the protection of Indigenous knowledge.

“Displaying All good things are medicine at our hospital entrance is both symbolic and practical,” said Robert Alldred-Hughes, President & CEO of HGMH. “It creates space for reflection, healing, and learning for all who walk through our doors. It also demonstrates our hospital’s accountability in reconciliation, so Indigenous patients and families accessing services at HGMH know they are seen, they are cared for, and they are safe.”

The hospital is proud to stand alongside Indigenous communities, patients, families, and staff in acknowledging the truth of the past while committing to a more inclusive and respectful future.

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