Connextions 2025: Heart of the Land by Jeannette Ladd

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As part of the Connextions 2025 project, see Jeannette Ladd's vinyl artwork, Heart of the Land, on display outside Glen Abbey Community Centre.

Jeannette offers the following description of her work:

Inspired by the natural beauty of Oakville—where forest, meadow, river, and lake meet—this piece is a celebration of love, renewal, and our relationship with place and one another. The

flowing waters of Sixteen Mile Creek connect to the shores of Lake Ontario, reminding us of the life and memory carried through nibi (water).

This artwork reflects the deep interconnection between land, water, and spirit, rooted in Anishinaabe storytelling. Two waaboozook (rabbits) sit across from each other beneath the glowing sun and moon, holding the space with quiet presence. These gentle helpers teach us to move with awareness, to lead with love, and to honour the soft power of gentleness.

Strawberries grow alongside flowers—sacred medicines that symbolize love and the good life. Below them, fish swim through the water, carriers of knowledge and spirit, connecting all beings through shared breath and story. This piece invites viewers to pause, reflect, and remember that gentleness, love, and connection to the land are powerful medicines. Always present and always within reach.

About the artist:

As an Anishinaabe-kwe from Saugeen First Nation, located within the Saugeen Ojibway Territory along the shores of Lake Huron in Southern Ontario, my roots run deep in the land and culture that continue to shape my identity and artistic voice.

I (Jeannette Ladd) hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Toronto, where I learned to design spaces that reflect how people live and interact. While architecture gave me a strong foundation in design, art has always been at the heart of my journey. It is through painting and creative expression that I honour and celebrate my culture.

Art has played a vital role in my personal and professional growth. Each piece I create is a reflection of my heritage—blending traditional teachings, natural elements, and vibrant storytelling with contemporary techniques. My work is grounded in the desire to share stories, build meaningful connections, and uplift Indigenous perspectives.

Earlier in my career, I worked in the field of architecture in the Town of Oakville for nearly a decade. That experience helped shape my understanding of placemaking and community design, which continues to inform my art today.

My artistic practice is a living expression of who I am, where I come from, and the resilience of my people.

Organizer

Town of Oakville

The Town of Oakville is located on Treaty 14 and 22 lands, the territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat and the Haudenosaunee. Oakville is home to many different First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. A vibrant and impressive community within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the Town of Oakville is a beautiful lakeside town with a strong heritage, preserved and celebrated by residents and visitors alike. Since the 1800s, it has become one of the most coveted areas to live and work in Ontario, with 225,000 residents calling Oakville home. The town offers all the advantages of a well-serviced urban centre with first-rate facilities and amenities while maintaining its small-town feel.