Carey Newman (Ha-yalth-kingeme) is an Indigenous artist, master carver, singer, volunteer, and well-known speaker about the spirit of reconciliation. He created the Witness Blanket, a powerful monument to the impact of the residential school era and the healing journey of First Nations.

At a 2012 hearing of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Newman heard his father share his painful experience at a residential school. Hearing his father’s story changed Newman’s life. He set out to build a monument to recognize the atrocities of the residential school era and honour the children who were affected.

Inspired by a woven blanket, Newman created a large art installation made of hundreds of items reclaimed from residential schools, churches, government buildings, friendship centres, band offices, treatment centres and universities across Canada. The structure’s fragments represent fragmented cultures, crumbling buildings, segments of language, and diminished pride – connected by the common experience that created them. The structure will recount for future generations the story of loss, strength, reconciliation and pride. Newman’s two-metre by 13-meter Witness Blanket has been seen by more than 100,000 people in Canada.

Newman is a sought-after speaker and has travelled across Canada to talk to community groups, schools and the media about the Witness Blanket project and the spirit of Reconciliation. He is a master carver, following in the footsteps of his great great grandfather, father and great aunt – all renowned wood carvers. Newman was selected as the master carver of the Cowichan 2008 Spirit Pole, a journey that saw him travel across British Columbia sharing the experience of carving a 20-foot totem. He created the “Dancing Wind” installation for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.

Newman studied piano at the University of Victoria and voice at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. He has won several awards in both piano and voice, and he has performed with the Pacific Opera in Victoria. He sang at the Indspire National Aboriginal Achievement Awards and through his role as a Pacific Opera Victoria board member, was part of developing and bringing to stage, the opera Missing which honoured murdered and missing Indigenous women.

He has received the Governor General’s Meritorious Service Medal, the 7th Generation Club Award, the Muscrat Magazine Indigenous Hero Award, and the Sooke Fine Arts Show Award. He has also been given one of the highest forces of recognition by high-ranking chiefs and traditional leaders: the hereditary name of Ha-yalth-kingeme. It honours Newman’s contributions to society and his commitment to reconciliation and the bringing of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people together.