George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
George Brown Polytechnic’s WAVE (Wellness, Applied Research and Visionary Education) Clinic has received a deeply personal and symbolic gift from graduating Dental Hygiene student Nathenia Bonnell—a handcrafted dream catcher that embodies resilience, protection and intergenerational strength.
The dream catcher, created by Nathenia’s mother, Mary Bonnell of Fort William First Nation (Anishinaabe Ojibwe), now hangs in the clinic’s reception area as a lasting tribute to Indigenous history, healing and community.
A story rooted in family, healing and continuity
For Nathenia Bonnell, the gift represents more than a decorative piece. Known traditionally as a bawaajige nagwaagan, the dream catcher holds cultural and spiritual significance as a protector—filtering energies by catching negative dreams while allowing positive ones to pass through.
“My hope is that when people see the dream catcher my mother Mary crafted hanging in the WAVE Clinic, they know we are still here,” Nathenia shared. “It’s a symbol of resilience—that Indigenous people are much more than stereotypes, and that there is hope.”
Mary Bonnell, who handcrafted the piece, is a survivor of a residential day school. Her artistry and lived experience are central to the gift's meaning, connecting past hardships with present strength and future healing.
The act of gifting the dream catcher was also shaped by profound personal loss. Nathenia commemorates the passing of her grandfather through this offering—transforming grief into a legacy of care and remembrance that will touch students, staff and patients alike.
A legacy that comes full circle at George Brown
The significance of Nathenia’s relationship with George Brown is deepened by her family’s history with the institution.
Her grandfather, Vic Bonnell, with whom she shared a close bond before his passing in her childhood, was also a George Brown student, having studied in the Fur Business and Techniques program. His accomplishments, including recognition in the Toronto Star for earning an award in his field, remain a lasting source of pride for the family.
“Being a graduate from the same school he attended is so special to me,” Nathenia reflected. “I know he would be proud.”
In this way, the dream catcher not only honours her grandfather’s journey but also completes a generational circle—linking past and present through education, achievement and cultural identity.
A symbol of care within the WAVE Clinic community
The WAVE Clinic has long served as a hub for experiential learning and community care within the Faculty of Health Sciences. The placement of the dream catcher in the reception area ensures that its message of protection and respect is shared with everyone who enters the space.
Nathenia also expressed deep gratitude for the people she encountered throughout her studies.
“I appreciate all the staff that supported me during my journey at George Brown,” she said. “From client services to reprocessing, dispensary teams, full- and part-time staff, clinic co-ordinators and registered dental hygienists—there are truly incredible people here. Miigwetch (thank you).”
Honouring Indigenous voices in care and education
Dr. Wendy Ellis, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, emphasized the importance of the gift in advancing meaningful recognition.
“This thoughtful and deeply personal gift reflects the values at the heart of our faculty. Compassion, respect and community-centred care. Nathenia and her family have entrusted us with a powerful symbol of Indigenous resilience and healing, and its presence in the WAVE Clinic will serve as a daily reminder of the histories, cultures and contributions that must be honoured in health care spaces.”
As George Brown marks National Indigenous History Month, the Bonnell family’s gift is a powerful reminder of the importance of storytelling, recognition and cultural presence within educational and health care spaces.
Rooted in family, shaped by resilience and offered in gratitude, the dream catcher now watches over the WAVE Clinic—carrying with it a message of hope for all who pass beneath it.
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