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The Vatican is poised to announce the return of numerous artifacts to Indigenous communities across Canada. This initiative is part of the Catholic Church’s broader effort to address its historical role in undermining Indigenous cultures in the Americas.
Among the artifacts set for return is an Inuit kayak, which is part of the Vatican Museum’s ethnographic collection, particularly from the Anima Mundi museum.
The ownership of these artifacts has ignited significant debate, especially regarding the restitution of cultural goods taken during colonial times.
Negotiations and apologies
Discussions concerning the return of these items gained traction following a 2022 meeting between Pope Francis and Indigenous leaders at the Vatican.
During this pivotal encounter, the leaders received a sincere apology for the Church’s involvement in Canada’s residential school system, criticized for its harmful impact on Indigenous cultures.
During their visit, Indigenous representatives were shown various objects from the Vatican’s collection, including wampum belts, war clubs, and ceremonial masks.
They formally requested the return of these items. Pope Francis expressed support for this initiative, stating that returning such items is an essential act of goodwill, emphasizing, “In the case where you can return things, where it’s necessary to make a gesture, better to do it.”
Coordination with Indigenous groups
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops confirmed ongoing collaboration with Indigenous groups to facilitate the return of these artifacts to their original communities. According to officials from both the Vatican and Canada, an announcement regarding this restitution is expected soon, with hopes that the items will arrive in Canada by the end of the year.
Initially, many of these artifacts were sent to Rome by Catholic missionaries for a 1925 exhibition in the Vatican gardens, which celebrated the Church’s global reach and the lives of the Indigenous peoples they sought to evangelize. However, the designation of these items as “gifts” by the Vatican has been met with skepticism.
Critics contend that the items were not freely given, particularly given the power dynamics during the era of Catholic missions, which were often linked to government policies aimed at eradicating Indigenous traditions.
Addressing cultural genocide
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada has characterized these assimilation policies as a form of cultural genocide. This included measures such as the 1885 potlatch ban, prohibiting essential Indigenous ceremonies and leading to the confiscation of culturally significant objects that ended up in museums and private collections worldwide.
Process of returning artifacts
The Vatican’s strategy for returning these artifacts will mirror the model used in 2023 when the Holy See donated fragments of the Parthenon Marbles to the Orthodox Christian Church in Greece. In this instance, the items will be handed over to the Canadian bishops, with the understanding that the ultimate custodians will be the Indigenous communities themselves.
Upon return, the artifacts will first be transported to the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec. There, experts, along with Indigenous representatives, will work to identify the origins of the artifacts and determine the appropriate next steps for their stewardship.
While the precise number of items involved in these negotiations has not been disclosed, sources indicate it will include several dozen objects. The goal is to complete the return process by the end of the year, coinciding with the upcoming 2025 Jubilee, a time for reflection and repentance.
Significance of the return
Among the artifacts set for return is an Inuit kayak, which is part of the Vatican Museum’s ethnographic collection, particularly from the Anima Mundi museum. The ownership of these artifacts has ignited significant debate, especially regarding the restitution of cultural goods taken during colonial times.0
Among the artifacts set for return is an Inuit kayak, which is part of the Vatican Museum’s ethnographic collection, particularly from the Anima Mundi museum. The ownership of these artifacts has ignited significant debate, especially regarding the restitution of cultural goods taken during colonial times.1
Among the artifacts set for return is an Inuit kayak, which is part of the Vatican Museum’s ethnographic collection, particularly from the Anima Mundi museum. The ownership of these artifacts has ignited significant debate, especially regarding the restitution of cultural goods taken during colonial times.2
