In the depths of the Vatican Museums, a century-old kayak, a relic of Western Arctic communities, has remained hidden, with its aged wooden structure intact and its weathered sealskin covering showing signs of wear. This historical vessel bears witness to the Inuvialuit people’s hunts of seals, walruses, and whales, as well as to a significant moment of reconciliation between the Roman Catholic Church and Indigenous communities in Canada.
Following intricate negotiations, the kayak and various other Indigenous artifacts are now poised to make their journey back home, symbolizing a pivotal step towards healing for communities impacted by the legacy of Catholic-run residential schools. Sources reveal that the Vatican and the Canadian Catholic Church are nearing an agreement to repatriate these cultural treasures by the end of the year, with the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) facilitating the process.
The CCCB has affirmed its commitment to collaborating closely with Indigenous Peoples on matters of cultural significance, including the repatriation of artifacts currently held by the Vatican Museums. A formal announcement is anticipated from the Holy See in the coming weeks, signaling the imminent return of these cherished items.
Designated as a ‘church-to-church’ donation, the artifacts, such as the rare kayak—one of only five in existence—will initially be housed at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec. There, experts will evaluate their condition, verify their age and origins, and work alongside a committee of Indigenous representatives to determine their final placement.
In a strategic move to avoid setting a precedent of direct returns to nations or communities, the Vatican plans to transfer the artifacts to the Canadian Bishops with the understanding that they will then be passed on to Indigenous communities. This approach mirrors the model used when the Vatican returned portions of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece in 2023, framed as an “ecumenical donation” to the Greek Orthodox Church.
Originally sent to Rome in 1925 for a global exhibition by Pope Pius XI, the kayak and other items were part of a collection showcasing “examples of Indigenous life” gathered during a period of forced conversion and cultural suppression. Most of these objects, including a face mask from Haida Gwaii and various Indigenous artworks, have remained stored in the Vatican’s ethnological section.
The impending return of these artifacts, catalyzed by Pope Francis’s visit to Canada in 2023 and subsequent advocacy efforts by Canadian officials, holds immense symbolic and personal significance for Indigenous communities. Chief Bobby Cameron of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations emphasized the sacred nature of these items and their role in the healing journey for residential school survivors.
As the Vatican prepares to repatriate these cultural treasures, it represents a tangible response to the longstanding cultural losses experienced by Indigenous communities, signaling a step forward in the path towards reconciliation and acknowledgment of historical injustices.