After being stored in Vatican Museums vaults for a long time, a traditional Inuvialuit kayak used for beluga and whale hunts, along with 61 other cultural artifacts from Indigenous communities in Canada, are set to be returned on December 6. The Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV has gifted these items to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) during a meeting with a CCCB delegation, including Bishop Pierre Goudreault, Rev. Richard Smith, and Rev. Jean Vézina.
This gesture, following Pope Francis’s engagement with Indigenous communities during his 2022 visit to Canada and the 2023 Declaration on the Doctrine of Discovery, is intended as a symbol of dialogue, respect, and unity. The Vatican has entrusted the CCCB with ensuring the proper preservation and respect of these artifacts, which will then be transferred to the National Indigenous Organizations (NIOs) for eventual return to their respective communities.
Negotiations, led by Indigenous groups over two years, facilitated the return of these culturally significant items, with all costs covered by the Indigenous groups involved. The items are scheduled to be flown to Montreal from the Vatican Museums via Frankfurt and then assessed at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec, in collaboration with Indigenous representatives to determine their final placement.
The repatriation of these artifacts marks a significant milestone in addressing the historical injustices faced by Indigenous communities, especially in the context of residential schools and cultural suppression. The return is seen as a crucial step towards truth, justice, and reconciliation, as emphasized by Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni clarified that the return is structured as a church-to-church “gift,” a method that avoids setting a precedent of direct returns to nations or communities.
The Vatican’s decision to return these items came after years of advocacy from Indigenous leaders, with the recognition of the sacred significance of these artifacts. Ceremonies are expected to precede the repatriation process, underscoring the cultural importance attached to these items. Despite some criticism of the church-to-church approach, the return of these artifacts is a vital acknowledgment of past wrongs and a step towards healing and reconciliation.
