A newsletter from The Bay arrived in my email this morning. Despite the subject line, I was hesitant to open it, especially today. It read, "An Update: Our Journey to Truth and Reconciliation."
It's a long and complicated journey - we aren't just talking about Grandma's favourite iconic stores or the blanket that evokes nostalgic notions of soothing days gone by. In spite of re-branding efforts, to HBC and later to The Bay, the company itself is a significant part of our history. Politics are woven throughout and it's impossible to tell the story of Canada or Truth and Reconciliation without acknowledging what a pivotal role they played in how we all, indigenous and non-indigenous, ended up where we are today. As they sought to earn riches in the "new" land, The Hudson's Bay Company was the face and fist of European settlement here. With the encouragement of the British monarchy, HBC was relentless in their quest to do business with the Indigenous population and gain control of the fur trade. Regardless of the power inequality and the dismal idea of currency paid, both parties continued the relationship for centuries.
On September 30, 2022, a new phase has begun. There hasn't been time for me to really dig into this. More reading and reflection is called for but surely one thing has to be true. Chanie Wenjak and Gord Downie would approve of the work their families have done in their memory. I hope both their spirits are smiling a little bit from somewhere out in the stars.
Personally, I'm conflicted - there's no desire in me to purchase one of the blankets - donating 100% of net profits is a step in the right direction but given the choice, for my buck, I'd rather 100% goes to an Indigenous business and let them handle the profit part. And yet, we must move forward.