Reclaiming the Narrative around the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC)

Correction:

As of March 2025, the Hudson's Bay Company's (HBC) downtown Vancouver store remains under the ownership of HBC and its real estate partner, RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust. In February 2022, HBC announced plans to redevelop the iconic building by adding 12 storeys of office space atop the existing structure, totaling one million square feet, while downsizing the retail space to 350,000 square feet. This redevelopment aimed to modernize the facility and attract tech companies with large floor plates. 

Regarding the involvement of the Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) and Simon Fraser University (SFU), there is no evidence to suggest that the Hudson's Bay building was sold to an Indigenous-led development group in 2022. However, TFN has been actively engaged in various initiatives, including cultural and educational partnerships with SFU. For instance, TFN hosted SFU's hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ theatre classes in May 2024, reflecting their commitment to cultural preservation and education. 

It's important to note that HBC has been facing significant financial challenges. Reports from March 2025 indicate that Hudson's Bay is preparing for liquidation amid these troubles, which could impact the future of the downtown Vancouver store and its redevelopment plans. 

In summary, while TFN and SFU have collaborated on cultural and educational projects, there is no indication that they have acquired or are involved in the redevelopment of the Hudson's Bay building in downtown Vancouver. The property remains under the ownership of HBC and RioCan, with redevelopment plans announced in 2022, but the company's recent financial difficulties may affect these plans.

----

*** Indigenous communities across Canada, including British Columbia, are actively reclaiming the narrative around the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) through art, activism, and economic initiatives. Here are some key ways this is happening:

1. Reclaiming HBC-Owned Land & Spaces

One of the biggest recent developments was the purchase of HBC’s flagship store in downtown Vancouver by the Tsawwassen First Nation and the Simon Fraser University Trust in 2022. This represents a powerful shift—land once controlled by a colonial trading company is now being reimagined under Indigenous leadership. The plan is to transform the space into a hub for Indigenous business, culture, and education, symbolizing economic sovereignty.

Similarly, other former HBC trading posts, such as Fort Langley and Fort St. James, are being reconsidered in historical narratives, with Indigenous communities advocating for the inclusion of their perspectives in museum exhibits and tourism.

2. Indigenous Artists & the HBC Blanket as Resistance

HBC’s iconic multi-stripe blanket is being reclaimed in various ways. Some Indigenous artists incorporate it into contemporary art to challenge its colonial legacy:

• Métis artist KC Adams uses HBC imagery in her artwork to critique the company's role in colonization.
• Cree artist Kent Monkman has used the HBC blanket in his paintings to symbolize Indigenous resilience in the face of colonial oppression.
• Some Indigenous designers, like Mobilize Waskawewin, have reworked HBC blankets into new designs that honor Indigenous culture while exposing the company's history.

3. Legal and Land Back Movements

Many Indigenous nations in BC continue to fight for the return of lands originally controlled by HBC and later claimed by the Canadian government. Some communities are pursuing legal avenues for land restitution, treaty negotiations, and economic partnerships that challenge HBC’s legacy.

4. Public Awareness & Education

There’s a growing movement to educate people on HBC’s true history. Indigenous educators, writers, and activists are challenging the sanitized version of HBC as a simple trading company and emphasizing its role in land theft, smallpox epidemics, and economic control.

Museums and cultural institutions are starting to integrate Indigenous perspectives into their exhibits. At Fort Langley National Historic Site, for example, Indigenous-led programs are being developed to highlight the impact of HBC on local nations.

The Bigger Picture: HBC as a Symbol of Colonialism

For many Indigenous people, the decline of HBC’s retail empire is not just a business story—it’s a metaphor for the broader collapse of colonial systems. While HBC once dominated the economy, Indigenous nations are now reclaiming power through land ownership, self-governance, and cultural resurgence.