M’CHIGEENG—Local artist Kathryn Corbiere of One KWE in M’Chigeeng First Nation sculpted a beautiful large hawk for the unveiling at Northway Wellness Centre, through the Sault Area Hospital (in Sault Ste. Marie), using steel from Algoma Steel Corporation.

“The hawk was installed two weeks ago at the Northway Wellness Centre through the Sault Area Hospital,” Ms. Corbiere told The Expositor last week. “We started talking about this project (with the hospital) last October. This was part of a project funded by Algoma Steel a couple of years ago.”

Ms. Corbiere explained, “I had visited Algoma Steel a while back, to pick up some of the steel for the art structure project.”

“The hawk is a three dimensional 10-foot-tall structure,” said Ms. Corbiere. “It is quite an intricate, detailed sculpture.”

Ms. Corbiere shared that the statue is, “Made primarily with Algoma’s steel, the work is designed to patina, which means the work will change over time as it’s exposed to various elements. I love this aspect of the sculpture, changing like we all do, through life, and in our processes of healing. The stainless steel wave of feathers flowing over the back of the hawk is representative of the St. Mary’s River, a historically important and culturally significant waterway. The hawk carries the strength of the river on its back as it soars through the air at the Northway Wellness Centre. The sculpture is just like the centre, created by people in the North for people in the North.”

The unveiling of the sculpture took place on August 20. “We celebrated the unveiling of a beautiful art structure by Northern Ontario artist Kathryn Corbiere (One KWE) commemorating the $1 million gift Algoma Steel made to Northway Wellness Centre in 2022,” a Sault Area Hospital Foundation release explains. “Algoma Steel’s gift supported the creation of two outdoor courtyards with therapeutic gardens, a covered and accessible staff entrance, and supplied artwork for the interior of the building.”