Hudson’s Bay Company has announced that it has chosen to auction its historic Royal Proclamation Charter. This charter, granted by King Charles II, is over 355 years old. The charter thus provided the company with extraordinary prerogatives over a huge area that today comprises most of Canada. For nearly two centuries, it was a powerful actor—and often the dominant force—shaping American trade and Indigenous relations. The auction ends on October 15th! Hudson’s Bay has previously agreed to a floor bid of at least $15 million, but that floor still requires court approval on September 29.
The second case will be heard in court on September 25. Hudson’s Bay would like to be permitted to proceed with the auction. Those wishing to compete have to get their bids in by October 3rd. Each bid must be greater than the $15 million minimum. This very big auction parameters brings up troubling concerns on what this means for Indigenous nations and their cultural heritage.
Cody Groat, an advocate for Indigenous rights, said that the auction was disrespectful and the process “disgusting.”
“The idea of reverting to an auction for the Royal Proclamation Charter is alarming,” – Cody Groat.
He added that Indigenous nations will find it difficult to compete in this auction. He highlighted the unique obstacles they encounter because of the historical legacy of the charter.
Hudson’s Bay has an incredible collection of artifacts that truly animates its storied history. This includes artworks dating as early as 1650, point blankets made famous by the Hudson’s Bay Company, and significant paper documents. 24 artifacts it has reason to believe are of Indigenous origin or heritage will not be included in the auction. Rather, Hudson’s Bay has agreed to return these items, or donate them, acknowledging that these items are cultural treasures.
The company owns four war memorials spread across different Bay stores and a further two in storage. Hudson’s Bay has engaged in discussions with Canadian institutions and veterans’ associations to ensure that these memorials are properly donated and displayed.
The decision to auction the Royal Proclamation Charter has led to a larger discussion regarding the ethics of auctioning such an important historic work. Critics claim that licensing our state’s most historically rich document would despoil Indigenous communities. Their pasts are inexorably tied to the territory that the charter gave Hudson’s Bay control of.
Hudson’s Bay is prepping for a big China auction. Like all parties, we are concerned to see how the court answers its call and what this will mean for Indigenous nations and their cultural patrimony. The success ultimately will determine how future debates will be fought over the stewardship, archiving, and guarding of the future’s culturally relevant artifacts and documents.
