Alumnus and sessional faculty member Luke Parnell is an artist of Haida and Nisga’a heritage who, through the use of traditional techniques from the Northwest Coast, investigates contemporary social issues.

Recently, he's been the Artist in Residence at the Stewart Hall Art Gallery in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, as part of Culture Shift - The Contemporary Native Art Biennale. During his six-week residency, Parnell carved a seven-foot totem as a symbol of his heritage. But that's not where the project ends.

Danielle Rochette from the APTN News has more. Watch the clip below.

A 2012 graduate of Emily Carr's Master of Applied Arts program, Parnell is represented by Winsor Gallery, Vancouver, BC.