Norfolk General Hospital has unveiled a striking new mural at its West Street entrance, created by Indigenous artist Arnold Jacobs of the Onondaga Nation, as part of its growing commitment to reconciliation and strengthening relationships with local First Nations.
Stretching forty feet down the main hallway, the artwork features nine animals significant in Haudenosaunee culture—such as the eagle, bear, wolf, turtle, and deer—each chosen to represent teachings tied to the land, water, and sky, all set against the purple and white imagery of the Two Row Wampum.
Jacobs said he designed the piece to make Indigenous people feel welcome and to help visitors see the natural world through a Haudenosaunee lens, noting that “the wildlife was honoured to represent our families” and that the mural’s symbols reflect origin stories, cultural identity, and the principles of coexistence.
Supported by longtime NGH donors Jim and Marjorie Dawson, the project began as a conversation about how to bring reconciliation into everyday hospital spaces, a vision CEO Todd Stepanuik says reflects NGH’s responsibility to create an environment where Indigenous patients, families, and staff feel respected and seen.
The mural also marks an early step in the hospital’s multi-year reconciliation action plan, developed with First Peoples Group to advance cultural safety and build trust, and Jacobs says he hopes the work inspires viewers to appreciate Indigenous teachings rooted in nature and the enduring dignity passed down from elders.
Photo from Norfolk General Hospital and artist Arnold Jacobs