A kayak used by the Inuvialuit for beluga and whale hunts, along with 61 other cultural artifacts from Indigenous communities, have been housed in the Vatican Museums for a long time. These items are set to be returned to Canada on December 6, following a gift by Pope Leo XIV to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB).
The Vatican and the CCCB released a joint statement announcing the return of the cultural objects, which came after a meeting between the Pope and a delegation from the CCCB, including Bishop Pierre Goudreault, Archbishop Richard Smith, and General Secretary Jean Vézina.
The statement highlighted that Pope Leo XIV viewed this gesture as a tangible demonstration of dialogue, respect, and brotherhood, following the series of events initiated by Pope Francis during his apostolic journey to Canada in 2022 and the subsequent interactions with Indigenous communities.
The CCCB has pledged to ensure the proper safeguarding, respect, and preservation of these artifacts once they are in their possession. The artifacts will then be transferred to the National Indigenous Organizations (NIOs), who will oversee their return to their respective communities of origin.
Negotiations for the repatriation of these items had been ongoing for two years, led by Indigenous groups who have covered the expenses associated with these efforts. The return of these artifacts marks a significant milestone for Indigenous communities, especially in light of the historical injustices endured, including the residential school system.
The cultural items, currently stored in the Vatican Museums, will be carefully packaged and flown to Montreal via Frankfurt on an Air Canada flight, arriving on December 6. From there, they will be transported to the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec, where experts will assess their condition, verify their origins, and collaborate with Indigenous representatives to determine their final placement.
The repatriation of these items has been lauded as a crucial step towards reconciliation and honoring the diverse cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples. The return process is structured as a church-to-church “gift,” a method preferred by the Vatican to avoid setting precedents of direct returns to nations or communities.
Efforts to secure the return of these artifacts intensified following Pope Francis’s visit to Canada in 2023, where he acknowledged the significance of restitution for these sacred objects. The Vatican has recognized the importance of these returns, acknowledging the role of Indigenous leaders and the Canadian government in advocating for repatriation.
Prior to their journey back to Canada, ceremonies will be conducted to honor these artifacts and their significance to Indigenous communities. While some have raised concerns about the church-to-church approach, emphasizing the direct involvement of communities in the identification process, the return of these cultural items represents a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts towards truth, justice, and reconciliation.