Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care today proudly unveiled “Mno Ishkode” (“The Good Fire” or “Council Fire”), an original commissioned artwork by Clayton King, a Boodewaadmii (Potawatomi) Anishinabek artist and member of Beausoleil First Nation. The unveiling took place in the Atrium Building lobby at Waypoint, bringing together community members, staff and Indigenous partners.
The large-scale artwork reflects the Seven Grandfather Teachings — truth, love, respect, bravery, honesty, wisdom and humility — through a circle of animal spirits. The title and imagery honour the historic Council Fires of the Anishinaabeg, which served as gathering places for governance, ceremony, trade and rest.
The council fire seen in ‘Mno Ishkode’ is a representation of what has been known as the Third Council Fire at Beausoleil Island — one of five Council Fires that stretched the treaty and road of peace between the Anishinaabeg and the Haudenosaunee Nations from Lake Superior to northern New York State at the end of the 17th century. The Third Council Fire was said to be on an island opposite Penetanguishene Bay.
Clayton King, Boodewaadmii (Potawatomi) Anishinabek artist and member of Beausoleil First Nation
King also shared that the location of the Third Council Fire has been significant to the Anishinaabeg for many generations as a place of trade and rest from traversing the Great Lakes.
Through respecting and uplifting traditional knowledge, Waypoint continues its commitment to creating culturally safe spaces for the communities it serves.
Our hope is that adding this large, personal, meaningful piece of Indigenous art to the lobby will demonstrate our commitment to ongoing partnerships with the Indigenous communities we serve.
Jess Ariss, Clinical Director and one of the Co-Leads of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Waypoint.
The message of King’s artwork reflects Waypoint’s approach to care — one that understands healing as more than just treatment, but as a relationship rooted in respect and understanding.
You cannot have love without wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility and truth. To leave out one teaching would be embracing the opposite of what that teaching means.
Gary Johnston, Traditional Healer at Waypoint
“Mno Ishkode” is now permanently installed in the Atrium Building lobby, where it will serve as a welcoming and reflective space for patients, visitors, staff and community members.
THE SEVEN GRANDFATHER TEACHINGS
Wisdom (Nbwaakaawin) (Beaver) — To cherish knowledge is to know wisdom. Use your inherited gifts wisely and recognize your differences and those of others in a kind and respectful way.
Love (Zaagi’ idiwin) (Eagle) — Knowing love is to know peace. Our love must be unconditional — to love and accept themselves is to live at peace with the Creator.
Respect (Manaadendamowin) (Buffalo) — Respect is not just an action, but a heart-growing feeling. To honour all creation is to have respect.
Bravery (Aakode’ ewin) (Bear) — Bravery is to face the foe with integrity. It is the state of having a fearless heart to do what is right, even when the consequences are unpleasant.
Honesty (Gwayakwaadiziwin) (Sabe/Raven) — Sabe reminds us to be ourselves and not someone we are not. To walk through life with integrity is to know honesty.
Humility (Dabaadendiziwin) (Wolf) — Humility is to know yourself as a sacred part of creation. It is to live selflessly, not selfishly, and to find balance within yourself and all living things.
Truth (Debwewin) (Turtle) — Truth is to know all of these things. It is speaking only about what you have lived or experienced; do not deceive yourself or others.