Native Heritage Foundation of Canada
February 8, 2010
Dr. Alfred Young Man
Department Head, Indian Fine Arts
First Nations University of Canada
Regina, SK
RE: Native Heritage Foundation of Canada Collection
Dear Dr. Young Man:
As custodian of the First Nations University of Canada’s art collection I wish to express the concerns of the Native Heritage Foundation of Canada (NHFC) regarding the art collection housed at your institution. In November 2004 the NHFC entered into an agreement with your institution to transfer our collection of 188 art works by Aboriginal artists to First Nations University of Canada where the works could be displayed and utilized for both pedagogical and exhibition purposes. This agreement, we felt, would ensure that the mandate of the NHFC to gather, preserve, and display outstanding works by Aboriginal artists would be fulfilled.
The NHFC was established in 1979 as a non-profit organization founded expressly for the purpose of encouraging and celebrating the artistic heritage of Aboriginal artists in Canada. Since that time works by leading artists including Bob Boyer, Alex Janvier, Norval Morriseau, Daphne Odjig, Bill Reid, Arthur Shilling, Gerald McMaster and Allen Sapp have added to the cultural value of this collection. The Foundation’s board continues to maintain an active role in supporting your efforts to fulfill the mandate with regard to the collection. The Foundation acquired the collection through donations by individuals, corporations, as well as artists themselves and as a non-profit corporation we assumed the responsibility to protect the legacy of these works.
With recent events unfolding at First Nations University of Canada the NHFC Board would like to extend our appreciation for you as custodian of the art collection as part of your role as Department Head of Indian Fine Arts in your unflagging efforts to maintain and secure the collection. The NHFC Board of Governors continues to monitor the situation and will work with you to help maintain the security of this significant art collection.
As president of the Board of Governors of the Native Heritage Foundation of Canada I am happy to provide assistance in any way in maintaining and fostering support for the works in the foundation collection.
Sincerely,
Dr. Carmen Robertson
President, Native Heritage Foundation of Canada
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