Ontario Health Team - Noojmawing Sookatagaing

Noojmawing Sookatagaing: Bringing Art and Healthcare Together

Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) are part of a new healthcare model designed to bring providers together for coordinated, community-focused care. These teams aim to provide accessible, holistic services that meet the needs of local communities by working as an integrated system.

Noojmawing Sookatagaing—which roughly translates to "Healing Working Together"—is part of the OHT framework operating in the Robinson-Superior and Treaty 9 areas, today known as the District and City of Thunder Bay. Officially announced in October 2022, this OHT is dedicated to supporting the health of its community through collaboration.

This past year, I enjoyed working with the Noojmawing Sookatagaing team, council members, and artist Janice Toulouse to develop their logo and branding. This project was significant because it involved incorporating Janice's artwork, guided by insightful discussions with her—Miigwetch to Janice for her time and contributions.

Turning an artwork into a logo was both challenging and rewarding. I referenced a photo of Janice's piece and created a vectorized version, taking my time to ensure her unique style remained intact. Simplifying the colour palette while preserving the essence of the original piece was crucial to the process.

I reworked elements of the artwork into several layout options for review, aiming to retain its emotional impact. The logo for Noojmawing Sookatagaing draws inspiration from Janice's piece, Abiinoojiiyag Jibii ("Children’s Spirits") (Acrylic on Canvas, 2024), which is a prayer offering to the spirits of Indigenous children, celebrating their vitality and joy. This aligns beautifully with Noojmawing Sookatagaing's mission to nurture and support future generations through healthcare.

The original painting was purchased by Noojmawing Sookatagaing and has become a key part of their visual identity. Elements of the artwork are used in headers, backgrounds, and, of course, the logo itself. It has been an honour to work with Janice’s art, and I hope the branding continues to reflect the care and connection that Noojmawing Sookatagaing aims to bring to the community.

Resources: Janice Toulouse - Instagram

About Noojmawing Sookatagaing