Murals of Healing
A body of work devoted to reconciliation, cultural memory, and the healing of communities. These murals were commissioned not merely to decorate a space, but to speak truth, honour history, and invite restoration.
Each work in this series carries a deliberate spiritual and cultural weight — painted for places where people are seeking wholeness.
When We Walked Together
An historical mural depicting the annual reenactment of the Stations of the Cross by Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest — spanning the late 1800s over 30 consecutive years. Located on the back wall of the Indian Friendship Centre, Railway Avenue, Mission, BC.
About the Work
Approximately 36ft long × 18ft high. Completed in 6 days. Painted by Doug Cariou, with totem poles designed and painted by Steve Stanczyk. Assisted by Lori Cariou and Nathan Woodrow.
The mural depicts Sto:lo people — the People of the River — gathering from across the Pacific Northwest. Two Indigenous canoes carry people up the Fraser River. At centre stands a First Nations chief translating the story of the cross. From Christ on the cross, atoning blood touches the serpent beneath the water, bringing life and victory. The stylized eagle in the sky carries this message of redemption.
The subdued figures in the sky are a Sto:lo elder watching over his people (right) and an Oblate Father (left).
Full Story & DetailsThe Finlandia Natural Pharmacy Mural
Commissioned for Finlandia Natural Pharmacy in North Vancouver — a landmark heritage commission that brings natural imagery and a spirit of health and restoration to the space.
About the Work
The Finlandia mural was created for a pharmacy devoted to natural health and whole-person wellbeing — making it a natural fit for the Healing Series. The imagery draws on the restorative power of nature, light, and landscape.
This work shares with the other Healing Series murals a deep intentionality — art placed in a space where people come seeking health, chosen specifically to bring beauty, calm, and hope into that environment.
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Murals of Healing — Japan
Works of healing and cultural memory connected to the Japanese community — spanning both the Japanese Internment history and a dedicated healing mural series.
About the Work
This mural belongs to the Healing Series as a work of cultural memory — acknowledging the Japanese Canadian experience and bringing beauty and dignity to that history.
The Japanese Internment Mural and the Japanese Healing Mural together represent Doug Cariou's commitment to using art as a means of truth-telling and community restoration.
View Full Work The Japanese Internment MuralNative Healing Works
Additional works in the healing tradition connecting Indigenous imagery, cultural identity, and spiritual restoration.
Art for spaces of restoration
If you oversee a hospital, care home, recovery centre, church, or community space and are looking for art that brings healing, dignity, and hope to the people who pass through it — Doug would be glad to speak with you.