OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney highlighted a significant piece of art during the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. The artwork, titled "A Brief History of Northwest Coast Design," was created by Indigenous artist Luke Parnell and is currently displayed outside the cabinet meeting room in the West Block of Parliament. Carney described the sculpture as a representation of a painful chapter in Canadian history, referencing the over 150,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children who were forcibly taken from their families and placed in residential schools, where they lost their identities and languages.

The sculpture consists of 11 wooden panels that reflect Parnell's heritage from the Nisga’a and Haida First Nations in British Columbia. Carney elaborated on the artwork's visual narrative, stating, "The first few of those panels burst with vibrant colours, and then with contact, those colours fade until the middle ones become smothered in white paint — a culture literally whitewashed. The final panels begin to resemble the original glory with images, though marked by what has been endured, that are renewed and resurgent." He emphasized that the piece captures both the pain of suppression and the hope for reconciliation and renewal.

Parnell's sculpture is part of a larger collection of 48 artworks that Carney has installed in his office, official residence, and Parliament buildings since taking office. According to the Privy Council Office (PCO), which oversees the Prime Minister's department, about one-third of these artworks have been loaned by the National Gallery of Canada at no cost. Other pieces come from Global Affairs Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts’ Art Bank, which typically rents artwork to government offices and private businesses.

PCO spokesman Pierre-Alain Bujold explained that the tradition of displaying loaned artworks in the Prime Minister's offices reflects Canada’s commitment to its artistic heritage. He noted that these artworks allow distinguished guests and world leaders to experience the country’s rich diversity and history.

The National Gallery of Canada first approached the Government of Canada in May 2025, offering several pieces for public and official spaces. Pierre Cuguen, another PCO spokesman, confirmed that the Prime Minister accepted the loan of the artwork. Carney, known for his appreciation of art, has a personal collection of modern art and previously made headlines for purchasing a piece by Canadian artist Kim Dorland.

Among the artworks chosen by Carney for the West Block are several oil paintings depicting Canadian landscapes, including works by Clarence Gagnon and Emily Carr. He also selected pieces from acclaimed Indigenous artists, such as Alex Janvier and Kenojuak Ashevak. Additionally, Carney has displayed four paintings from the National Gallery at Rideau Cottage, his official residence.

Carney's selection also includes modern artists like Winnipeg-based Wanda Koop and Vancouver-based Ying-Yueh Chuang. His choices reflect a blend of contemporary and historical Canadian art, showcasing the nation’s artistic evolution. One notable piece, Joyce Wieland’s "O Canada," features a series of bright red lips singing the national anthem, although its current location within the Prime Minister's surroundings remains unclear.

Overall, Carney's initiative to incorporate diverse artworks into his official spaces underscores a commitment to recognizing and celebrating Canada's cultural heritage while fostering dialogue about its complex history.