Prince George, B.C. – The Cancer Centre in Prince George  is now home to  two new  pieces of art.

Metis moccasins by artist Lisa Shepherd -image courtesy BC Cancer Agency

The pieces,  one by Clayton Gauthier of the Carrier Nation,   the other by Lisa Shepherd a Metis  artist, are  meant to help create a safe  welcoming  cultural space  for  Indigenous patients, and to reflect the traditional territory on which the Centre  sits.

“This art installation is an important step in making cancer care more patient-centred and culturally safe for Indigenous people in our province” says Dr. Malcolm Moore, President of the BC Cancer  Agency.” Making sure patients feel respected and valued helps them focus on healing and recovery – key aspects of the cancer journey.”

The CEO of the  First Nations Health Authority, Joe Gallagher, says the presence of Indigenous art in the cancer centres  is a move toward making Indigenous peoples and culture more visible in health care environments “Often patient journeys take our people to locations that are far from home, these installations create a sense of the familiar, a place where Indigenous patients will feel connection to the traditional territory they are receiving care on. This project is a positive first step in achieving cultural safety together, acknowledging that change is necessary and ensuring the spaces are safe and reflective of the local Indigenous communities.”

The  installation is  the result of a partnership  between the BC Cancer Agency, the First Nations Health Authority, the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres and Métis Nation BC.

All  six  Cancer Centres in BC will  be  displaying  similar  works  by a First Nations artist  and one from a Metis artist.