A century-old Inuvialuit kayak previously utilized for beluga and whale hunts, alongside 61 other cultural artifacts from various Indigenous communities, have been stored in the vaults of Vatican Museums. However, these cultural items are set to be repatriated to Canada on December 6 following a generous gift from Pope Leo XIV to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), as stated in a joint announcement by the Vatican and the conference.
The decision to return these objects came after a meeting at the Holy See between the Pope and a CCCB delegation, which included Bishop Pierre Goudreault, Rev. Richard Smith, archbishop of Vancouver, and Rev. Jean Vézina, general secretary. The statement highlighted that Pope Leo XIV views this gesture as a tangible demonstration of dialogue, respect, and fraternity, following a series of engagements with Indigenous communities and the publication of the Declaration on the Doctrine of Discovery in 2023.
The Vatican has entrusted the CCCB with the responsibility of safeguarding, respecting, and preserving these artifacts. The CCCB, in turn, has committed to promptly transferring the artifacts to the National Indigenous Organizations (NIOs), who will oversee their return to their respective communities of origin.
Negotiations for the repatriation of these artifacts were led by Indigenous groups over a two-year period, with the costs of the negotiations and the repatriation process being covered by the Indigenous groups. Joyce Napier, the Canadian ambassador to the Holy See, played a key role in facilitating the return of the cultural items.
The artifacts are currently housed in the vaults of the Vatican Museums and are scheduled to be packed in crates and transported to Montreal via Frankfurt on an Air Canada flight arriving on December 6. Subsequently, they will be transported to the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., where experts will assess their condition, verify their origins, and collaborate with Indigenous representatives to determine their final destinations.
This repatriation effort is being hailed as a significant milestone for Indigenous communities, particularly in light of the historical injustices endured by Indigenous peoples in Canada, including the legacy of residential schools. The return of these items is viewed as a step towards honoring Indigenous heritage and advancing truth, justice, and reconciliation efforts.
The process is structured as a church-to-church “gift” exchange, a method employed by the Vatican to return cultural artifacts, allowing it to avoid establishing a precedent of direct returns to nations or communities. The return of these items follows advocacy efforts from Indigenous leaders and engagements with Canadian government officials, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, urging the Vatican to repatriate these sacred artifacts.
Among the notable items set for repatriation is the century-old Inuvialuit kayak, which was part of a larger collection of 100,000 objects sent to Rome in 1925 for a world exhibition. These items were contributed during a period of cultural suppression, forced conversion, and the residential school system in Canada, with many remaining in storage within the Vatican Museums.
Indigenous leaders emphasize the importance of conducting ceremonies prior to the items’ return to their communities. While some critics question the “church-to-church” approach and advocate for more direct community involvement in identifying the artifacts, the impending repatriation marks a significant milestone in acknowledging and rectifying historical injustices.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has also expressed support for the repatriation efforts, highlighting the significance of honoring Indigenous cultural heritage and advancing reconciliation initiatives.
