Author: Quinn Patrick
The Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations found no “theft or ill-intent” by any of its managers involved in $14.4 million worth of Indigenous art that were found missing in the wake of a routine audit last year.
According to an Indigenous Art Collection briefing note obtained by Blacklock’s Reporter, “Efforts are underway in an attempt to locate the remaining unaccounted-for artwork and the department is proceeding with another review of its regional offices.”
The police were never informed of the stolen paintings, jewelry, sculptures, or other works that vanished from the collection, which was once used to decorate the department’s regional offices.
“There was no finding of theft or ill-intent,” it said.
The collection had a total of 5,176 pieces, including six-figure artworks purchased at taxpayers’ expense and then stored in an unsecured warehouse or sent to regional offices for display. The collection dates back to 1965.
The 2025 audit identified 132 missing pieces last fall.
“The department places great importance on its responsibility to safeguard the artworks in the collection and to honour the artists behind them,” reads the note. “That is why the department is reaching out to artists and estates to inform them that artwork they or their family member had created is currently unaccounted for. Contact has been made with 32 artists or estates connected to 47 of the artworks. We are continuing to verify the contact information.”
“Regardless of what the number is, there are pieces missing, worth money, worth value to people who created that art,” Conservative MP Jamie Schmale told a hearing of the Commons heritage committee in November. “This doesn’t happen in the National Gallery.”
Heritage Minister Marc Miller pledged to have the art restored during testimony in February, calling it a “moral obligation.”
“Do you feel there should be a moral obligation over this missing Indigenous art?” asked Conservative MP Kevin Waugh.
“I do believe there is a moral obligation,” Miller responded. “Any time you receive art or sacred items from Indigenous people, it is something that has to be treated with extra care.”
“I need confirmation here,” said Waugh. “Are there going to be ongoing efforts to actually locate the missing Indigenous art, or are we going to call this case closed?”
Crown-Indigenous Relations has refused to identify the titles or creators of any of the missing pieces.