For Dr. Lisa Boivin, a member of the Deninu Kųę́ First Nation in Denendeh (Northwest Territories) and an Indigenous Educator, making art is more than an act of creative expression. It is a chance to share knowledge in the way her ancestors have for centuries and help people understand the importance of cultural safety and Indigenous Peoples’ experiences in health care and research.
On Wednesday, May 28, members of the UHN community gathered in the De Gasperis Conservatory at Toronto General Hospital for an Arts-Based Education Open House to learn more about how Lisa educates through art. The afternoon promised a taste of the workshops Lisa hosts for UHN and Indigenous Peoples in the city.
Participants were encouraged to create their own artwork, leave their mark in the guestbook, and add to a large group collage. The space was filled with laughter, thoughtful conversations, and moments of connection as people explored their creativity together. Lisa shared the meanings behind the animals in the collage, explaining the important lessons they carry in Indigenous knowledge.
Throughout the afternoon, laughter and thoughtful conversation filled the air as participants’ creativity flourished, and Lisa shared Indigenous teachings on what people can learn from the various animals that were included in the collage.
Several of Lisa’s artworks were also on display at the event, including a print of her work entitled Unravelling the Whispers of Ancestors, which was raffled to one lucky attendee. Other winners took home copies of Lisa’s books: I Will See You Again and I Dream Medicine Dreams.
Events like this Open House bring the UHN community one step closer to decolonializing research and health care spaces. Centering the voices, teachings, and experiences of Indigenous communities is the first step toward ensuring research at UHN reflects their needs, but it is certainly not the last. With the help of incredible members of the community like Dr. Lisa Boivin, UHN is committed to the continued learning and work necessary to make UHN spaces safe for and welcoming to Indigenous Peoples.
The UHN community thanks all those who helped make this event such a success, including the UHN Research IDEA team.
To learn more about Lisa and her work, read her You @TeamUHN feature here.
To find out more about or book one of Lisa’s workshops, email Lisa at lisa.boivin@uhn.ca.
Artwork created by a participant (top L), Lisa's books (bottom L), and a framed print of 'Unravelling the Whispers of Ancestors' on display at event (R).