New mural reflects collaboration

Inside the Chateauguay long-term care home (CHSLD), something new will be joining the 146 current residents: a mural, made in a collaboration with some who live there and Kahnawa’kehró:non art therapist Megan Kanerahtenha:wi Whyte.

The project is called Kan’nikonhrí:io en chaque mur, which comes from the Kanien’kéha word for “good mind,” meaning clear from things like grief, anger, and sorrow. “En chaque mur” means on each wall, all around us, in French.

It will feature an already completed, permanent mural in Chateauguay, and another future one in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.

The mural is in three parts, to represent the changing seasons and the cycle of life, going from night to day.

On the left is a thawing nature scene, as the dark sky turns lighter from left to right. In the middle, the Medicine Wheel takes the spot of the sun, rising over three Longhouses, the Three Sisters crops, and the river. To the right, a family – elders, children, mothers, and fathers – group around a ball of light, held in hand by an elder. All are dressed in traditional clothing as the sun sets. The entire piece is surrounded by the starry sky, acting as a frame to the piece that shows that we are all in the same universe. The frame is also interlaced with strawberries, showing connection to the Spirit World, said Whyte.

She said the piece was a collaboration between her and a dozen residents over the course of five days.

“What I love about creation is that it’s about, to an extent, an exchange of stories,” said Whyte.

It was the residents who named elements they would like to see in the piece, and from taking those elements, Whyte drew the entire piece in about an hour. Some residents then painted base layers on the drawing, using a colour sheet, while others looked on, unsure how much they could participate because of their own idea of their talents. Some started with filling in lines, gaining confidence as they progressed.

“A lot of people were so surprised by what they could create,” said Whyte.

The mural was unveiled on Wednesday during a press conference convened at the CHSLD by the Monteregie West health and social services centre (CISSMO), whose president and chief executive officer Dominique Pilon spoke in front of media members, CHSLD and CISSMO staff, and patients of the importance of the project.

“This is a concrete act towards our organizational desire to make cultural safety and the reaffirmation of one’s identity a priority,” said Pilon.

That goes for patients, but also their families and the CHSLD staff, he said, who should feel like they are home.

Strengthening ties with Kahnawake is also a priority for the CISSMO, Pilon said.

“This mural will embellish the Chateauguay CHSLD. But behind this piece of art, there is a big symbol, the symbol of reconciliation,” said Pilon.

“The message we are sending is that we are taking one more step towards reconciliation and the reestablishment of trust and reinforce it today.”

Following Pilon was Derek Montour, the executive director of Kahnawà:ke Shakotiia’takéhnhas Community Services (KSCS).

He admitted that he did not understand much of Pilon’s speech in French, but that this piece of art is part of breaking barriers.

“It’s really about understanding each other’s culture and understanding where we are coming from,” said Montour.

“We don’t have the same language sometimes. It’s so important that we understand the two visions, and that’s what this artwork is all about.”

Montour explained the fear that could exist from Indigenous people in places like a CHSLD, where at your most vulnerable, you might be afraid to be misunderstood, treated differently, or not understand what is offered as a service.

“I think the primary thing for me is people feeling safe. Kahnawake and any Indigenous community is battling hundreds of years of colonization, hundreds of years of systemic discrimination, racism, whether things are overt or subtle,” said Montour.

He said that Kahnawa’kehró:non sometimes rely on outside services that can’t be covered by KSCS or the hospital, and they should be safe and trust that they will be well treated.

Both Pilon and Montour said the mural was a sight to behold, with Pilon saying that he got a chance to get a sneak preview and hear from CHSLD staff during the process.

“They were getting chills on many occasions, to hear people speak of their lived experiences while taking part in the activity,” said Pilon.

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