A centuries-old kayak, hidden away in the vaults of the Vatican Museums for many years, is on the verge of being returned to its Indigenous roots in the Western Arctic. This kayak, a witness to the Inuvialuit hunts of seals, walrus, and whales, symbolizes a significant step towards reconciliation between the Roman Catholic Church and Indigenous communities in Canada.
Negotiations between the Vatican, the Canadian Catholic Church, and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) have progressed well, aiming to repatriate the kayak and other Indigenous artifacts back to their originating communities by the end of the year. The CCCB has expressed its commitment to working closely with Indigenous Peoples on returning these cultural objects.
The artifacts, including the rare kayak—one of only five in existence—will initially be housed at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec, where experts will evaluate their condition, confirm their provenance, and collaborate with Indigenous representatives to determine their final placement. The Vatican’s transfer of the artifacts to the Canadian Bishops, who will then pass them on to Indigenous communities, follows a “church-to-church” donation model to avoid setting precedents in returning cultural items directly to nations or communities.
Originally sent to Rome in 1925 for a world exhibition, these artifacts, collected during a period of forced conversion and cultural suppression, have been held in the Vatican’s permanent collection. Among the artifacts awaiting repatriation are an Inuvialuit kayak, a face mask from Haida Gwaii, beaded skin moccasins, birch bark etchings, and an ivory and sealskin sculpture of a dog sled.
The upcoming return of these items is seen as part of a healing journey, particularly for residential school survivors, as acknowledged by Pope Francis during his visit to Canada in 2023. Indigenous leaders, including Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron, have emphasized the sacred nature of these artifacts and their importance in the reconciliation process.
The Vatican’s decision to return these artifacts comes after years of advocacy from Indigenous communities and political pressure from Canadian officials. The gesture signifies a tangible step towards addressing historical injustices and cultural losses suffered by Indigenous peoples.