Indigenous art at City Centre Urgent and Primary Care Centre
Creating safer spaces is a critical part of the work we do to support Indigenous clients, patients and families to feel comfortable, seen and valued. It also supports our Indigenous Cultural Safety Pillar - our commitment to reconciliation and learning, and providing the best care informed by the history and culture of Indigenous Peoples.
On this page
Spirit of the Four Seasons
By Sina̓mḵin – Jody Broomfield, Squamish Nation
Medium: four digital designs
Location: City Centre UPCC
About Spirit of the Four Seasons
My inspiration for this design came to me after giving some good thought about this Vancouver Coastal Health Care Centre will be open to the public to provide medical services all year long. Thus, I incorporated the design of the transition between the four seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter) honouring the staff that will tend to incoming and outgoing patience all year around.
In the foreground of each panel wall design features the landscaping of the local trees and long grasses, resembling the forested areas prior to what is now knowing as downtown Vancouver. Behind the foreground is the majestic mountains of the North Shore.
I want it to be known that the area which the Care Centre is located was once a forested area, which was excellent place for gathering seasonal medicines and berries from the lands. This was also great hunting grounds for Elk, Deer, Bear and provided Salmon from the nearby creeks and streams.
Other spirit animals that are also featured within the design, and were not gathered, but respected for what they represented to our peoples. The Raven is bringer of the day light box (Sun), the Eagle is the one who could carry prayers on its feathers, up to the sky of our ancestors. The Wolf representing the strength of the family.
Each season transitions accordingly:
Care Station Wall features the transition between Winter Season on the left with snow melt off the Blue shaded Mountains with the image of the Spirit of the Elk. Transitioning to the Spring Season features Raven bringing the day light. Providing bright greens of the blossoming Maple Trees and the return of blossoming herbs, medicines, berries of the lands, soon to be gathered. The Twin Sisters are featured to remind us of our Peace Treaty, between the Squamish and the Haida from up the coast and is still honoured today with our distant relatives of the north. I wanted this to also resemble Peace and Prosperity with all of our surrounding neighbours.
Hallway Wall has the warmth of the Summer Season features deep greens on the Maple Trees and Mountains with the Spirit of the Eagle soaring in the Sky. This is the time for gathering of Wild berries, medicines from the lands and early signs of the Salmon return to provide nourishing seasonal food.
The Reception Wall features the transition between the Fall and Winter Seasons. Fall Season transitions with the changing colours of orange tones of the Mountains, and the leaves of the Maple Trees falling to the ground with rainfall from the sky. This is the time of the year which Salmon would be gathered from the local creeks, rivers and streams. Bear is featured representing the gatherer.
Waiting Room Wall continues with the Winter Season with snow cover Maple Tree and on the ground of the foreground. The Spirit of Deer with the Wolf representing the seasonal time for hunting wild game and preserved for the stretch of the cold season. Wolf representing the spirit of the gatherers.
Meet the artist
Sinámkin – Jody Broomfield is a 2-time Public Art Award of Excellence Receipt and Heritage Award. He is a proud artist of the Squamish Nation, Coast Salish Peoples. He has been on his creative full-time journey since 1999 and enjoys working with the mediums, such as carved wood, etched glass, etched stone works, fabricated metal sculptures, jewelry gold & silver, graphic design, painting and prints.