"PARLEY" is the result of artist Marc Johnson’s immersive journey into cultural dialogue and discovery, initiated at the 2019 Vancouver Biennale International Residency program “re-IMAGE-n public space.”

Conversations with esteemed local figures; including Dana Claxton, Karen Duffek, Sharon Fortney, Haa Huups, Peter Morin, Kamala Todd, Ian Wallace, Connie Watts, Laura Wee Lay Laq, Jordan Wilson, Tʼuyʼtʼtanat Cease Wyss, Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas and Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun amongst others; paved the way for a deeper communion with the city’s intellectual and artistic heartbeat.

Johnson’s research took him behind the scenes of the Museum of Anthropology, the Museum of Vancouver, and the Vancouver Maritime Museum, sparking a profound curiosity about the narratives attached to stored and preserved artifacts. It was in the quiet reflection of these institutions’ collections that he found himself contemplating, “What is the archive hiding? I wonder if there is anything I would hide if I was the archivist.” This exploration into the intricacies of museum curation and the selective storytelling of exhibited pieces set Johnson on a path of inquiry and insight.

In a dedicated effort to foster intercultural understanding, PARLEY weaves together the perspectives of 26 curators, artists, writers, and knowledge keepers, delving deep into issues of First Nation rights and cultural revitalization. Johnson’s dialogue with these experts, along with the exploration of archiving, collecting, and sharing First Nations languages and artifacts, formulates a narrative that challenges readers to consider the multifaceted aspects of history, representation, and the ongoing journey toward reconciliation.

This book is not just a testament to Johnson’s residency experience; it’s an invitation to join an essential conversation on cultural heritage and the paths that lie ahead for collective understanding and healing.