Key Takeaways
- The royal charter that formed Hudson’s Bay has been sold to a joint bid by two of Canada’s richest families, David Thomson and Galen Weston, for $18 million.
- The charter will be donated to the Manitoba Museum, the Canadian Museum of History, the Royal Ontario Museum, and the Archives of Manitoba, ensuring it remains in the public domain.
- The bid includes a $5-million donation to preserve the document and fund consultation with Indigenous people on how to present it to the public.
- The charter is a significant historical document that granted the Hudson’s Bay Company a trading monopoly and the right to exploit mineral resources without the consent of Indigenous people.
- The sale of the charter has sparked discussion about the document’s characterization of Indigenous people and the need for Canadians to reflect on their history and build a society based on values of respect and equality.
Introduction to the Royal Charter
The royal charter that formed Hudson’s Bay has been sold to a joint bid by two of Canada’s richest families, David Thomson and Galen Weston, for $18 million. The charter, signed by King Charles II in 1670, granted the Bay a trading monopoly covering the drainage basin of Hudson Bay and the right to exploit mineral resources without the consent of Indigenous people. The sale of the charter brings an end to months of uncertainty over the document’s fate and ensures it will remain in the public domain.
The Bidding Process
The bidding process for the charter began earlier this year, after the Hudson’s Bay Company filed for creditor protection in March under the weight of $1.1 billion in debt. Holding companies owned by David Thomson and Galen Weston expressed interest in purchasing the charter, with the Weston family initially offering $12.5 million to buy the document and donate it to the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec. Thomson later proposed an auction, indicating he was willing to spend at least $15 million on the document and donate it to the Archives of Manitoba. The joint bid by Thomson and Weston was announced in mid-November, and no other bids emerged for the charter.
The Significance of the Charter
The royal charter is a significant historical document that has been recognized by the UNESCO Memory of the World advisory committee as one of the most important archival collections in the world. The charter was a foundational document for Canadian colonialism, based on the idea that Indigenous nations did not have a legitimate claim to their territories. The document has been described as "more than just an asset" and "something of national interest" by historians and Indigenous community leaders. The charter’s sale has sparked discussion about the document’s characterization of Indigenous people and the need for Canadians to reflect on their history and build a society based on values of respect and equality.
The Importance of Preservation and Consultation
The joint bid by Thomson and Weston includes a $5-million donation to preserve the document and fund consultation with Indigenous people on how to present it to the public. This donation is seen as a crucial step in acknowledging the historical significance of the charter and its impact on Indigenous communities. The consultation process will provide an opportunity for Indigenous people to share their perspectives on the document and how it should be presented in a way that is respectful and accurate. The preservation of the charter is also important, as it will ensure that the document is protected for future generations and can continue to serve as a valuable resource for historians and researchers.
Reaction from Historians and Indigenous Community Leaders
Historians and Indigenous community leaders have welcomed the news of the charter’s sale and the joint bid by Thomson and Weston. Kathleen Epp, keeper of the Hudson’s Bay Company Archives at the Archives of Manitoba, said that many were concerned that the charter would be sold to a private buyer and possibly leave the country. Epp expressed excitement about the idea of the document being held by the four institutions, saying that each of them will offer something great to the ability to provide access to the document and preserve it. Cody Groat, a professor of history and Indigenous studies at Western University, said that the pushback from archival institutions and Indigenous communities, on top of the financial backing of the Thomson and Weston families, made it possible for the charter to stay in the public domain.
Conclusion
The sale of the royal charter that formed Hudson’s Bay is a significant event in Canadian history, and the joint bid by David Thomson and Galen Weston ensures that the document will remain in the public domain. The charter’s significance extends beyond its historical value, as it also serves as a reminder of the complex and often fraught relationship between Indigenous people and European colonizers. The consultation process and preservation of the charter are important steps in acknowledging this history and building a society based on values of respect and equality. As Canadians reflect on their history and the significance of the charter, they can begin to build a better future, one that is based on a deeper understanding of the past and a commitment to reconciliation and respect.
