Manitoba Indigenous leaders call for catalogue, collaboration from HBC
Manitoba Indigenous leaders say the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) has yet to provide them with a list of the historic artifacts they intend to auction off, despite their requests.
'What we are calling for is a process for First Nations to view the artifacts, engage in a constructive dialog and explore the possibility of repatriating items in a respectful manner,' Assembly of First Nations Grand Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak told reporters Thursday.
Woodhouse Nepinak, joined by Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson, Southern Chiefs' Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. Grand Chief Garrison Settee, and seven other Manitoba Chiefs and representatives, called for a First Nations-led review of the 2,000+ items the bankrupt company intends to sell as it liquidates its assets. They voiced concerns the collection could contain culturally-significant items.
'These are more than just historical objects,' said Grand Chief Settee. 'They define who we are, our culture, our stories, our history. They should not be in the hands of museum collectors, corporations. They belong to our people.'
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The HBC has said the collection contains the 1670 charter that founded the company but has not detailed what else the collection contains. Other collections of HBC artifacts contain beadwork and archival records.
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'My understanding is that there are sacred pipes and drums and ceremonial items that were potentially entrusted by HBC, by our ancestors, to mark a relationship, but these items were not to be sold or be hidden,' Grand Chief Wilson said.
Grand Chief Woodhouse Nepinak said she has sent letters to the federal government and Hudson's Bay asking to meet to discuss the artifacts.
'We certainly hope that people will do the right thing,' she said.
Grand Chief Daniels said he has spoken to HBC Executive Chairman Richard Baker, and has a meeting with HBC Properties & Investments CEO Ian Putnam scheduled for Friday.
'We want to see… what are they planning on doing, and obviously express our dismay at this current strategy,' he said. 'We'll try to push to the furthest extent possible to get all of our artifacts in our possession.'
Canadian Museum Association (CMA) CEO Janis Bomberry says the proposed sale of artifacts 'goes against some of our standards and recommendations when it comes to repatriation in Canada.'
'When this was brought to our attention, it definitely raised a lot of alarm bells on our end that there had not been one proper engagement or consultation,' she said.
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In 2022, the CMA developed repatriation guidelines for international and Canadian museums housing Indigenous artifacts. Bomberry says returning artifacts is a form of economic reconciliation.
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'HBC has a powerful opportunity to demonstrate corporate leadership by engaging transparently with indigenous communities and ensuring that their voices and perspectives are included in economic decision-making,' she said.
'We need to have Indigenous experts looking at the complete inventory to determine what is of present-day concern… and what emergency funding might be available to help retain these ancestry belongings within Canadian borders should it come to that,' said CMA Indigenous Council Member John Moses.
Grand Chief Woodhouse Nepinak did not say if the AFN would look at purchasing the collection should HBC deny their requests to repatriate the items.
'We're going to hope and give them the benefit of the doubt today, that they will do right thing, and if there is hypotheticals later that we have to talk about, we could talk about it at that time,' she said.
In a statement to Global News, Hudson's Bay vice-president of Corporate Communication and Heritage, Tiffany Bourre said, 'HBC's history is immensely significant and important to the country and the people of Canada. The company welcomes the ongoing dialogue and consultation as it relates to its art and artifacts.
'HBC is working with its advisors and the court-appointed monitor to ensure stakeholder interests and concerns are properly considered.'
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Cision Canada
2 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Minister Lightbound visits Chantier Davie as part of the shipyard's 200th anniversary celebration Français
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Since its inception, the strategy has revitalized Canada's marine industry, fostered innovation and created a skilled workforce. NSS contracts awarded between 2012 and the end of 2024 contributed close to $38.7 billion to Canada's gross domestic product and created or maintained approximately 21,400 jobs annually from 2012 to 2025. Looking ahead, the Government of Canada remains committed to advancing shipbuilding projects that equip the RCN, the CCG and TC with modern, capable vessels. The NSS will continue to evolve by incorporating lessons learned and working closely with industry partners to deliver long-term value for Canadians. Quotes "We are committed to building a resilient and sovereign marine industry. 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Winnipeg Free Press
4 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Indigenous-owned Dugald café all about bannock, brew and belonging
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'Unfortunately, you still don't see a lot of inter-generational prosperity within the Indigenous community — you see it all over in other areas of the world — so when we witness something that has the potential to be carried on by the next generation, we do whatever we can to help them achieve that success.' Besides running the café, Clarke, who currently has seven employees, all from the general area, intends to market bagged coffee under the Grey Wolf banner at the retail level. That includes one type, Buddy's Blend, named for her dad. She'll also be designating space inside the 23-seat locale — occupancy can be expanded to 37 for anticipated book readings and corporate get-togethers — where Indigenous artisans such as Caroline Cheekie of Cheeky Beader can sell their wares on a consignment basis. 'And my long-term goal would be to have more Grey Wolf Cafés, right?' she says, adding whenever she's unsure of next steps, she seeks guidance from more knowing sorts. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Grey Wolf Cafe will sell bagged coffee, along with wares from Indigenous artisans on a consignment basis. 'I have my dad's photo on the fireplace mantle and if I'm ever stuck, I'll smudge and we'll talk. Mom, too.' MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Lexi Taylor feeds a sweet treat to a canine customer. David Sanderson Dave Sanderson was born in Regina but please, don't hold that against him. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Toronto Sun
4 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
GOLDSTEIN: Carney can't fix Canada's underperforming economy on his own
Get the latest from Lorrie Goldstein straight to your inbox Prime Minister Mark Carney delivers a press conference at Rideau Hall after his cabinet's swearing-in ceremony on May 13, 2025 in Ottawa. Photo by Andrej Ivanov / Getty Images Prime Minister Mark Carney's pledge to make the Canadian economy the strongest in the G7 is the equivalent of attempting to turn around the Titanic before it hits the iceberg. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account An indication of the enormity of this task is to look at the performance of the G7 countries in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, which measures economic output per person, adjusted for inflation, and is a widely accepted metric of a nation's prosperity and standard of living. Low economic growth as measured by real GDP per capita has been a longstanding problem in Canada. Under Carney's predecessor, Justin Trudeau (who appointed Carney to chair his economic growth task force in September 2024), Canada recorded the worst record of economic growth since the government of R.B. Bennett in the depths of the Great Depression. 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Any new pipelines will also be opposed by environmental organizations and some (although not all) Indigenous groups who, while they do not have veto power over such projects, must be meaningfully consulted under Canadian law. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has cited the enormous economic damage caused by Canada's failure to build pipelines. Had the Northern Gateway, Energy East and Keystone pipelines been built (Keystone was killed by then-U.S. president Barack Obama), she said, Canada would be producing 2.5 million more barrels of oil per day. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'That's $55 billion a year worth of GDP value, which is worth $17 billion to my government alone and about an equal amount to the federal government.' RECOMMENDED VIDEO The Carney government does have more direct control of some issues it can move on to boost Canada's economic growth. 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Finally, of course, Carney needs to negotiate a deal on tariffs with Trump. lgoldstein@ Olympics Sunshine Girls NHL Ontario Sunshine Girls
