Culture · 19 d ago
Experts say Indigenous communities should have a say in the sale of John Risley's art
Among the Indigenous items
- Baskets
- Bone carvings
- Textiles
- Moccasins
About 30 Indigenous cultural objects are among nearly 670 items listed in court proceedings involving seafood businessman John Risley. Some are labelled only "Indigenous" or "unidentified artist, Inuit."
Background
His company, CFFI Ventures, went under creditor protection in March with nearly US$1 billion in debt. Last month a Nova Scotia court approved the sale of most of its assets to New Tide Capital.
The most ethical situation, is seeing these cultural items return to the nations that they belong to.
— Cody Groat, Western University historian
John Risley
Bought through dealers
Museum Indigenous Council
Communities must get a say
Risley says his collection was bought from dealers and auction houses and would not include such pieces. The Canadian Museum Association's Indigenous Council says Indigenous people must get the chance to identify significant objects.
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami says works of Inuit cultural importance should be examined by Inuit. Canada has no national framework for returning such objects, Groat said.
