The Legislative Building will now have a Niverville artist’s work on display for at least the next century.

Sculptor Darren Sakwi received the nod to create a time capsule celebrating Manitoba 150 which will be opened a hundred years from now.

But, Sakwi’s artistic story does not begin there.

“I wasn’t taught anything about my heritage because my mom had a really rough upbringing and so she kind of sheltered me as a child,” explains Sakwi who comes from indigenous roots. “I guess at the time I was very thankful that I didn’t know anything, but now that I’m older, and I know what took place, I kind of feel that I’m missing a piece of my background.”

That missing piece has become the inspiration for much of his artistic work and led him into, not only a deeper understanding of his heritage, but also that of his family.

“My mom is a writer who just published a memoir of her life,” shares Sakwi, "and my uncle was a gifted painter and poet, who also wrote plays.  There’s definitely a part of that within our bloodline. Maybe that’s where I get it from, but I don’t know.”

Despite having created the sculptures “Sky Spirit” in Sage Creek and “The Gathering” at 287 Broadway in Winnipeg, Sakwi says he has never marketed himself as an artist, remaining content running his metal fabrication business, Stainless Concepts.

asked to provide an artist's biography to be placed inside the capsule and says he’s excited to be able to go down in history this way.

“It’s kind of interesting to know that you’re going to be part of what people are reading a hundred years from now.”