Indigenous artifacts returned by Vatican unveiled in Canada
Indigenous artifacts taken from Canada by Catholic missionaries nearly a century ago have been returned and unveiled at a Canadian museum, marking a milestone in cultural repatriation efforts and renewing calls for the Vatican to return other important items. Among the 62 items repatriated is a rare traditional kayak, described as "historic" by Governor General Mary Simon, the first Indigenous person to represent the British monarchy in Canada.
“For too long, these artifacts were separated from the Indigenous communities to whom they belong,” Simon said in a statement, emphasizing the significance of their return. Cody Groat, an expert in Indigenous cultural heritage at Western University in Ontario, noted that the circumstances under which the items were brought to Rome in the 1920s remain subject to debate. The Vatican maintains that the artifacts were gifts, and that their return constitutes a reciprocal gift. However, Groat highlighted the “power imbalance” between Indigenous communities and Catholic missionaries at the time, questioning the notion of voluntary transfer.
The campaign for repatriation gained momentum about a decade ago following Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission report, which drew attention to the Catholic Church’s role in abuses against Indigenous peoples. In 2022, during a historic penitential pilgrimage across Canada, Pope Francis apologized to Indigenous communities for decades-long abuses in Catholic-run schools, describing the actions as “genocide.” During that visit, Indigenous leaders requested the return of culturally significant items.
Inuit leader Natan Obed explained that initial discussions focused on the Inuvialuit kayak and involved direct talks between then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Pope Francis. Over time, the conversation expanded, resulting in 61 additional artifacts being identified by the Catholic Church for repatriation. Obed emphasized that if items were taken forcibly or without consent, it constitutes theft.
Governor General Simon credited Pope Leo XIV for facilitating the returns and expressed hope that this repatriation could inspire further returns as part of Canada’s reconciliation journey. Groat agreed that these items should be seen as a “starting point” but warned that identifying additional artifacts is challenging due to the Vatican’s secretive holdings. He noted that the returned objects are closely linked to a 1925 Vatican exhibition celebrating missionary achievements, but acknowledged the Catholic Church’s long-standing presence in Canada since the 1600s. When asked about the total number of Indigenous items possibly held by the Vatican, Groat admitted there is no reliable estimate.
The repatriation of these artifacts represents a historic step toward recognizing Indigenous cultural heritage and advancing reconciliation between Canada’s Indigenous communities and the Catholic Church.
