Grand chief requests halt to auction of Hudsons Bay items linked to First Nations – Winnipeg [Video]

Even as Hudson’s Bay was granted court permission to auction off 1,700 pieces of art and more than 2,700 artifacts, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is requesting a halt to the sale of items that may belong to or be linked with First Nations people.

A letter by assembly Grand Chief Kyra Wilson to the monitor for Hudson’s Bay, which is operating under court protection from creditors under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act, said there is “deep concern” over the potential auction of artifacts from its collection.

“Given the nature and scope of HBC’s long-standing relationship with First Nations, it is likely, if not certain, that many of the artifacts slated for auction are of profound cultural, spiritual, and historical significance to First Nations people,” Wilson said in the letter on Tuesday.

She said it would be “morally irresponsible” to auction off such items without consulting First Nations.

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