Hudson’s Bay, Canada’s oldest retailer, has been given the go-ahead to proceed with an auction. This event is seeing an unprecedented loan of artifacts and art suite. The new auction, which has attracted unprecedented interest, is just around the corner. It will feature some 4,400 objects, including a rare 355-year-old royal charter that founded the company. There are huge challenges that accompany this important decision. An Ontario judge has issued an injunction ordering the retailer to reappear in court, prepared to provide a full list of auction items.
The auction is set to take place against a backdrop of growing scrutiny from various groups who are concerned about the implications of selling historical and ceremonial items. The judge previously ruled against Hudson’s Bay on a motion that would have allowed Hudson’s Bay to keep its auction inventory confidential. This accountability requirement extends well beyond the just royal charter. This requirement is intended to promote transparency and accountability when it comes to the sale of pieces of substantial cultural significance.
The 355-year-old charter that formed the basis for Hudson’s Bay’s operations is an important piece of Canadian history. Even more controversial is the auction’s inclusion of the artifact. Historians and Indigenous groups have long insisted that these significant pieces remain in the public trust, rather than auctioned off to the highest bidder.
Critics have raised their concerns about removing these artifacts from public and civic spaces. They call attention to the importance of saving culturally important artifacts. This is particularly the case for objects related to Indigenous culture and history. As the auction date draws near, pressure for Hudson’s Bay to change its course keeps swelling.
In light of the situation, Hudson’s Bay is expected to comply with the court’s order by compiling and presenting a complete list of items slated for auction. Stakeholders and the public will be looking at this list with a fine-tooth comb. Their tenacity ensures that culturally significant pieces can’t just be sold off to private collectors, never to be seen again.
Hudson’s Bay’s auction serves as an important inflection point. It fearlessly explores the thorny themes of heritage, ownership, and cultural stewardship. No matter the outcome, the case will have major repercussions for that retailer for many years. It will open up more difficult conversations about the future of historical artifacts across Canada.
