Ottawa/CMEDIA: A collection managed by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada reportedly failed to account for over 130 Indigenous artworks, an internal audit says.
Dated last Nov, the report published earlier this month on the department’s website looks into the practices of the Indigenous Art Centre.
The audit warns that the 132 unaccounted for artworks poses an “increased risk of theft and security breaches” as well risks losing the trust of Indigenous artists.
The report, dated November 2024, was posted earlier this month on the Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada website and tracked the operations of the department’s Indigenous Art Centre from April 2019 to August 2024.
First established by the federal government in 1965 to protect, preserve and promote the Indigenous Art Centre’s collection of more than 5,000 artworks from First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists valued at roughly $14.4 million.
During and after the relocation of the Indigenous Art Centre collection in 2022 to temporary private sector storage facilities while the former storage site was undergoing renovations, the collection faced “increased risk of theft and security breaches”.
“Mishandling of culturally important art pieces held within the collection poses a reputational risk and could adversely impact the department’s relationship with Indigenous stakeholder…Failing to fulfil key requirements can erode trust…Canadian Heritage) Movable Cultural Property Program” the audit said.
The department was called upon by the audit department to keep better records and improve monitoring and oversight processes for employees tasked with managing the collection.
