Know where aboriginal art comes from

I just read your article about Paul Okalik and his idea of protecting aboriginal art from fraud (“Okalik: Canada should stamp out fake aboriginal art industry,” July 12). This is a fantastic idea.

However, I think that if any legislation is put forth to protect the art, it should recognize the differences between various aboriginal groups in Canada. Inuit, First Nations and Metis are all grouped under the umbrella of aboriginal peoples, but we are all very distinct with different languages, customs, and beliefs.

Any new laws should protect each group autonomously. They should be structured so that work is recognized for where it comes from. The origins of the art should be made clear.

Maurice Bedard is a Metis man who manufactures Inuksuks and sells them over the Internet. He has a Website about Inuksuks (www.inukshukman.com) and he sells them all over the world.

Anybody who buys from the self proclaimed “Inuksukman” is being misinformed because never does he mention that Inuksuks are from the Inuit culture. An uninformed person will assume that Inuksuks are from the Metis culture.

Canada is a free country and Mr. Bedard has every right to run a business, but he should not mislead his customers. Inuksuks did not come from Metis and even the word itself is not Metis.

Whether it is from Inuit, Metis, First Nations or even non-aboriginals, all the pertinent information should be made known. Maybe a law like this could prevent “culture vultures” from ripping off aboriginal art.

Steven Lonsdale
Ottawa
tiyouth@on.aibn.com