Artist Megan Benoit on Medicinal Healing

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Megan Elizabeth Benoit’s artwork, done with acrylic and ink on canvas, is an abstract interpretation of the medicine wheel: “While one cannot erase the turmoil and pain that the Aboriginal people have experienced — and still experience to this day — one can attempt to sew it back together through reconciliation,” says Benoit.

“The medicine wheel represents four main concepts: physicality, emotionalism, mentality, and spirituality. These core concepts have been tarnished, and they will never be the same as before. But one can hope that eventually it will heal, leaving only a scar, instead of the gaping gash left within the culture.”

Megan Benoit was awarded first place in the 2016 Aboriginal Arts and Stories — Arts (age category 14–18) for “Medicinal Healing.” She was also one of Imagine a Canada’s ten honoured recipients for 2016. Imagine a Canada is a national arts and communications initiative that invites young people to share their thoughts on what the future of Canada will look like through the lens of reconciliation.

Megan Benoit attended and presented at the 9th Annual Canada’s History Forum, Engaging Authentic Indigenous Histories, that was held on November 27, 2016 in Ottawa. This event was organized by Canada’s History Society and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Benoit’s artwork was featured in the forum’s official programme and signage.

In her presentation, Megan Benoit discusses her personal history and how she came to create her award-winning work of art, Medicinal Healing.

Learn more about Aboriginal Arts and Stories.