The Vatican has repatriated 62 Indigenous cultural treasures to Canada, following years of negotiations that began with a visit by the late Pope Francis in 2022. The objects, which include a kayak made of driftwood and seal skin used for beluga whale hunting, were first sent to Rome for a 1925 exhibition organized by Pope Pius XI and remained there until Pope Francis called for their return. The handover was unveiled this week at a warehouse belonging to the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec, where Indigenous elders and experts are now examining each piece to trace its origins. Vancouver Archbishop Richard Smith and Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, spoke at a news conference about the significance of the return.
This repatriation matters because it marks a major step in reconciliation between the Catholic Church and Indigenous communities in Canada, addressing historical wrongs tied to the removal of cultural heritage. The objects, which include items from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis cultures, are not just artifacts but living history—Obed noted that examining the kayak could lead to the reintroduction of kayak-making traditions. The return also sets a precedent for how religious and state institutions handle Indigenous cultural property, emphasizing that reconciliation requires humility and a willingness to listen, as Smith stated. The future of the objects is now being deliberated by Indigenous communities closer to home.