A Tapestry of Culture and History: Telling the Story of Duluth’s Ojibwa People
St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, transcends its role as a healthcare facility, serving as a vivid cultural tapestry that honors and celebrates the rich history, art, and traditions of the local Native American community.
Nestled on the ancestral lands of the Ojibwa people, St. Mary’s Medical Center has emerged not just as a state-of-the-art healthcare facility but as a living tribute to the rich cultural heritage of the local Native American population. Stepping inside its doors isn’t just entering a medical institution but embarking on a visual journey through history, art, and tradition.
The large-scale custom graphics, featured hanging art pieces, and intricate design elements seen throughout the hospital play the role of an extensive art program, telling a story that highlights the cultural landscapes of the city of Duluth and the wider Minnesota region. Embracing the Native American culture was established early on as a priority for the hospital, and the main dining room would take its design inspiration directly from the Ojibwe tribal culture.
Showcasing Native American Artists
Essentia Health leadership expressed their wishes to recognize and honor Native American culture within the new facility. Early in the design process, EwingCole’s Regional Director of Design, Saul Jabbawy, and Regional Director of Interior Design, Jill Wheeler, AIA, NCIDQ, LEED AP, accompanied Essentia administrators to the American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) to view an art exhibit featuring the curated work of current tribal members. Most notable from the exhibit was the work of Rabbitt Strickland and Pat Kruse.
“The entire team was mesmerized by the Rabbitt Strickland pieces that feature characters and tell stories from Ojibwe mythology with luminosity and clarity,” said Wheeler. “A large panel of his is now located at the entrance to the elevator lobby in the cafeteria.”
Symbols of Native Culture
The native cultural narrative is most evident within the hospital's dining commons, a space that exceeds mere functionality and transforms into a gallery of the Ojibwa's enduring legacy. This is done by both photographic and abstract visual art and design.
Central to this narrative are two historical images that greet visitors at the cafeteria entrance lounge areas, depicting various aspects of Native American life. These captivating visuals tell the story of the community in vivid detail. One photograph, titled "Blueberry Time" by Roland Reed, captures a mother and her daughters in a canoe, embodying the strong familial bonds that have characterized the community. Another image portrays a wigwam – a traditional Ojibwa shelter - nestled in the embrace of the Mille Lacs Lake forest, underscoring the Ojibwa's deep-rooted connection to the natural world.
“The imagery was selected from the Minnesota Historical Society archives that presented Ojibwe culture, its focus on the family unit, and its craft,” said Wheeler. “These photos are significant to the community, so it was paramount that we featured them in a remarkable way.”
The hospital's reverence for Native American culture is evident throughout, woven into the very fabric of its design. The artifacts adorning the space serve as tangible connections to the Ojibwa's intimate relationship with nature. From meticulously crafted tepees fashioned from bent branches and birch bark to delicate woven cedar bark fabric, the physical manifestations of the community's connection to the land are proudly displayed through both abstract and literal design elements.
Another standout artist, Pat Kruse, has his birchbark creations on display in the hospital's main dining space. The design team references these birch bark pieces through several design elements throughout the dining hall and server. His artistry echoes the traditions of his ancestors, infusing the hospital's atmosphere with a connection to the Ojibwa's artisanal legacy.
Along with local art, the team was provided with several reference photos from which to draw inspiration. For example, an image of an Ojibwa textile served as the catalyst for the mosaic wall in the dining hall. The textile image was digitally expanded and pixelized. The array of reds, burnt orange, and yellow stitched fabrics was then recreated with matching tiles, which now encompass the wall stretching from the server to the corridor along the west link.
Snowshoes and canoes, symbols of the Ojibwa people’s survival skills and exploration, inspired the shape of the suspended sculptural ceiling elements in the dining hall that mimic the gentle contours of these watercraft. Their collective presence creates a harmonious visual echo of Lake Superior's waves, fostering a sense of connection to the environment beyond the hospital's walls.
St. Mary's new hospital in Duluth stands not just as a center of healing, but as a beacon of cultural homage. With every corner thoughtfully designed, carefully selected piece of art, and delicately woven narrative, the hospital becomes a living testament to the enduring spirit of the Ojibwa people. As visitors step into this space, they're not only embarking on a journey to better health but also immersing themselves in the rich tapestry of a heritage that continues to thrive and inspire.
