An Inuvialuit kayak once used for beluga hunts, silent for nearly a century within Vatican vaults, will soon cross the ocean home. For many, its journey marks not just the movement of an object, but the rekindling of memory and the promise of healing.
Canada’s Indigenous communities have waited decades for this moment. More than sixty cultural items, including a wampum belt from Kanesatake and Cree-embroidered gloves, are set to return from the Vatican Museums to the hands of those who made them. These artifacts, once collected under the shadow of forced conversion and cultural suppression, carry stories that outlast distance and time. Their return is a sign of dialogue—a word often spoken, but rarely embodied with such tangible meaning.
The official handover came after years of discussions between the Vatican, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, and federal representatives. According to a joint statement, Pope Leo XIV hopes the gesture stands as “a concrete sign of dialogue, respect and fraternity.” The items will first be examined at the Canadian Museum of History, where their origins and condition will be confirmed with Indigenous representatives before being reunited with their communities.
Joyce Napier, Canada’s ambassador to the Holy See, called it a “historic day,” underscoring the emotional weight for families whose ancestors’ belongings are finally coming home. Community leaders see the return as both a victory and a catalyst for further conversation. The pain experienced by survivors of residential schools cannot be erased, but the restoration of these artifacts acknowledges the harm and the enduring strength of culture.
Not everyone is satisfied. The Vatican’s decision to transfer artifacts as a “gift” to the Canadian Catholic bishops, rather than directly to Indigenous organizations, has drawn criticism. Some call for more direct action, greater transparency, and an explicit commitment to ongoing dialogue. Yet, for many, the safe passage home of these artifacts is a step forward, one that reopens dialogue on reconciliation and cultural respect.
Artifacts long hidden now return to where their stories began. Each object is not just a relic but a living thread in the tapestry of community identity. As they find their way home, hope grows that dialogue and healing will follow, strengthening the bond between history and the future.
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Vatican returns Indigenous cultural items to Canada’s Catholic bishops on a ‘historic day’
