Hudson’s Bay’s Company, chartered by royal decree in 1670, is under fire. As part of its move, the company is planning to auction off historical artifacts related to its storied past in Canada. King Charles II issued the original charter that established the company, which began as a fur trading joint-stock company. It also granted the company “semi-sovereign rights,” enabling it to function like a company but also like a colonial government. Hudson’s Bay announced its intentions to liquidate all remaining stores. Now, there is a loud and growing outcry over the likely sale of priceless ceremonial artifacts.
The charter, which is now 355 years old, is regarded as “one of the most significant archival documents that exists in Canada.” The fame of the document only grew when it received UNESCO’s Memory of the World designation in 2007. This distinguished honor serves both to protect media of great historical and cultural significance. Community advocate Cody Groat, representing Indigenous communities, said that the charter was instrumental in defining political governance in Canada. He emphasized its role in treaty negotiations with Indigenous peoples. He stated, “What we’re calling for is a recognition that this should not be viewed as just another corporate asset.”
The announcement of the upcoming auction has shocked and dismayed Indigenous leaders. They claim that most of the unique articles for sale are in fact almost inextricably linked to their cultural heritage. Wilson, a spokesperson for the Indigenous community, explained how emotionally resonant these items are for their communities. It’s incredibly meaningful that these sacred items are finally being returned to our people. “There is a connection there,” he said. He went on to declare, “Protecting these sacred items is a reflection of our identity. To be clear, there is a deep colonial history with HBC and many of these objects were indeed taken without any kind of consent.
Hudson’s Bay is preparing to sell a variety of historical relics. Beyond the charter itself, though, it’s still not clear which specific items will be included. The opportunity for tremendous cultural loss has released a perfect storm of protests and outcries calling for the return of these items to their proper custodian and owners. Wilson stressed the importance of recognizing the historical significance behind these artifacts, stating, “They carry so much history and so much of a connection to who we are.”
Hudson’s Bay developed a distinctive political structure within its charter. This structure has had a deep-seated, ongoing, and influential impact on Canadian governance and Indigenous relations. Wilson elaborated on this point, saying, “So when we look at this, it’s not just a document that established a business. It’s a document that really created a unique political colonial structure in Canada.”
Hudson’s Bay has formally donated three artifacts to the Archives of Manitoba. This ongoing effort is an attempt to save the company’s history, while recognizing its multi-faceted and ongoing relationship with Indigenous peoples. The recent announcement of the upcoming auction has sparked new discussions and debate about who should own and care for these profoundly culturally important artifacts.
The controversy over the auction reveals a larger conversation about recognizing and reconciling the massacre of Indigenous culture in Canadian society. Groat noted that given Hudson’s Bay’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.”
