For many people, healing doesn’t always happen through talk therapy alone. Sometimes words feel too small, too distant, or simply not available. That’s one reason Indigenous art therapy continues to grow as a meaningful option for wellness and mental health support. Indigenous art therapy can offer an approach rooted in creativity, reflection, and lived experience — and for many Indigenous people, it can feel more culturally aligned and accessible.
We’re honoured to introduce Joanne Bear, the founder of Bear Hands Therapy, an Indigenous-led practice grounded in care and cultural respect. Joanne is an Urban Indigenous woman from Muskoday First Nation (Saskatchewan). She is based in Tkaronto/Toronto, and she offers virtual art therapy services across Ontario and British Columbia.
Why Joanne Started Bear Hands Therapy
Joanne started her practice in January 2026 to create accessible, culturally grounded art therapy for Indigenous individuals and communities.
Indigenous culture was the driving force behind her decision to start this business. Through her experiences in social services and mental health settings — and through her lived experience as an Indigenous person — Joanne witnessed how harm can happen when care is not culturally safe or respectful. Those experiences shaped her goal: to help build culturally appropriate and safe therapeutic spaces through Indigenous art therapy.
What Art Therapy Can Offer
Indigenous art therapy supports people through creativity. It can help individuals explore emotions, process difficult experiences, and build resilience in a gentle and grounded way. Clients do not need to be “good at art” to benefit from art therapy. The value comes from the process — creating space for insight, expression, and healing.
At Bear Hands Therapy, sessions may include creative approaches such as drawing, painting, collage, writing, or storytelling. Joanne keeps the process client-centred and adapts each session to the client’s comfort level and goals. Many people seek Indigenous art therapy while navigating anxiety, grief, trauma, depression, self-esteem challenges, and major life transitions.
Challenges Indigenous Entrepreneurs Face
Starting a business takes courage, especially when barriers exist. Joanne shared that she faced roadblocks that many Indigenous entrepreneurs experience, including limited support, financial barriers, and the challenge of explaining what art therapy is and why it matters as a therapeutic practice.
One of Joanne’s biggest wins so far has been finding strong support systems, identifying financial avenues to get started, and completing her website — a key step for increasing access and awareness.
Looking Ahead
Joanne’s long-term vision is to expand Bear Hands Therapy and eventually open a studio space. She hopes this will allow her to offer Indigenous art therapy not only for individuals, but also for families and communities in more in-person settings.
For now, she is building visibility step-by-step through SEO, social media ads, and networking, and she continues to grow her practice with care and intention.
How to Support Indigenous Art Therapy and Bear Hands Therapy
Supporting Indigenous-owned businesses is one practical way Canadians can contribute to stronger communities and economic reconciliation. If you’d like to learn more about Indigenous art therapy and Joanne’s work, you can:
- Visit Bear Hands Therapy: https://www.bearhandstherapy.com/
- Follow Joanne on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bear.hands.therapy
- Book a free 30-minute consultation to see if art therapy is right for you.
At Shop First Nations, we’re proud to support entrepreneurs like Joanne who are creating culturally grounded services and expanding access to healing, connection, and community well-being through Indigenous art therapy.
