EightArrestedAs OPP,ThunderBayPoliceServiceLay ChargesInApparentDecades-longArtFraudInvestigation

More than 1,000 alleged fraudulent artworks purported to be painted by Norval Morrisseau seized

(TBPS) arrested eight individuals for their involvement in the apparent fraudulent manufacturing and distribution of artwork purported to be that of Indigenous artist Norval Morrisseau.

Morrisseau - also known as Copper Thunderb ird - was a prolific Indigenous artist from the Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek First Nation. Before his death in 2007, allegations began to emerge of individuals creating and selling art under his name and made in his distinctiveWoodlandSchoolofArtstyle.

Since2020andtogetherwiththeTBPS,a major case manager with the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch has been leading the investigation of the alleged production, distribution and sale of fake artwork falsely attributedtothelateMorrisseau.

As a result of this two-and-a-half-year investigation,eightpeoplehavebeenarrestedand are facing 40 total charges. More than 1,000 alleged fraudulent paintings, prints and other artworks have been seized. Some of these paintings sold for tens of thousands of dollars to unsuspectingmembersofthepublicwhohadno reasontobelievetheyweren'tgenuine.

The OPP is not in a position to authenticateanyartwork.Ifyoubelieveyoumay be in possession of a suspected forgery or fraudulentworkofart,itisrecommendedthatyou seek legal advice by contacting a lawyer or the LawSocietyofOntario,whichoperatestheLaw SocietyReferralService.Thisserviceprovidesa free half-hour consultation with a lawyer. For moreinformation,pleasevisithttp://www.lso.ca.

Avis De D C S

Pierrette Gagnon Sylvestre

CHAPLEAU – Le 5 mars 2023, Pierrette Gagnon Sylvestre, épouse de feu Roger Sylvestre, mère, mémére et sœur adorée, est décédée à l'âge de 84 ans à la résidence Bignucolo des Services de santé de Chapleau. Fille de feu Alphonse Gagnon et de feu Éveline Moreau.

Elle laisse derrière ses enfants, feu Jacques (Corinne), Sylvie (Robert), Michel (Nancy), ses six petits-enfants Josée (Jeremy), Felisha (Mathieu), Joshua (Laura), Sébastien (Geneviève), Jesse (Ashley) et Annabelle, ses deux arrière-petits-enfants Jana et Jonah, ainsi que ses sœurs survivantes RoseAimée et Monique, ses frères survivants Camille et Maurice(Denise),etdenombreuxneveuxetnièces. Plusieurs se souviennent d'elle comme étant dévouée, ricaneuse, gardienne adorée, artisane douée, admiratrice numéro un aux évènements de ses petits-enfants et aimant aider ses proches. Excellente cuisinière, elle s'assurait que les repas familiauxnemanquentderien,surtoutdesesbons dessertsfaitsauquotidien. Avantl'heuredesrepas, devant la fenêtre, elle s'asseyait dans sa chaise berçante et attendait la famille afin que les repas soientprêtsetsurlatableaumomentoùilsfranchissaientlaporte. Sesmomentspréférésétaientceux avecsafamilleauchaletetencommunautés;dîners communautaires, thés sociaux, se déguiser à l'Halloween. Pierrette aimait faire la comique, surtout avec ses petits-enfants qui l'avaient surnommée « Bad Grandma ». Elle s'encourageait ainsi à les faire rire en voyant la joie et la fierté de ceux-ci.

Les funérailles auront lieu samedi 11 mars à 11 h à l'égliseSacré-CœurdeChapleau.

Lafamilleserareconnaissantededonscommémoratifs au Département des activités de la résidence BignucolodeChapleau.

Obituary

Pierrette Gagnon Sylvestre

CHAPLEAU - On March 5, 2023, Pierrette Gagnon Sylvestre, wife of the late Roger Sylvestre, loving mother, mémére and sister, passed away at the age of 84 years at the Bignucolo Residence of Chapleau Health Services.

Daughter of the late Alphonse Gagnon and the late Éveline Moreau.

She leaves behind her children, the late Jacques (Corinne), Sylvie (Robert), Michel (Nancy), her six grandchildren Josée (Jeremy), Felisha (Mathieu), Joshua (Laura), Sébastien (Genny), Jesse (Ashley) and Annabelle, her two great-grandchildrenJanaandJonah,aswellasher surviving sisters Rose-Aimée and Monique, her surviving brothers Camille and Maurice (Denise), andmanyniecesandnephews.

She is remembered by many as being devoted, laughing and fun-loving, a beloved babysitter, a gifted artisan, a number one fan at her grandchildren's events and enjoying helping others. An excellent cook, she made sure family meals were pleasing,especiallywithahomemadedailydessert. Beforemealtimes,shewouldsitinherrockingchair in front of the window and wait for the family so that their meals were ready and on the table by the time theywalkedintothehome. Herfavouritetimeswere with her family at the cottage and in the community, whether it be at community luncheons, social teas anddressingupforHalloween. Pierrettelovedtobe silly, especially with her grandchildren who nicknamedher"BadGrandma".Seeingthejoyandpride of her grandchildren when she was being silly only encouragedhertocontinuebeingfunnyandplayful. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 11th at 11 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Church in Chapleau.

InmemoryofPierrette,donationsmaybesenttothe Activation Department of the Bignucolo Residence inChapleau.

"Norval Morrisseau was a prominent artistoftheThunderBayregionandtoprofitoff ofhisnameisnotonlyunethical,butalsoillegal. Together with the Ontario Provincial Police, I congratulate all involved for the successful resolutionofsuchanimportantinvestigation."

- Chief Dan Taddeo, Thunder Bay Police Service

"It was important for the OPP and the ThunderBayPoliceServicetoidentifyandhold accountable those who allegedly profited illegallybyforgingNorvalMorrisseau'sartwork. Theresultsofthisinvestigationareatestamentto the commitment and competence of the investigators and the collaboration of policing partners."-OPPCommissionerThomasCarrique

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