Pope Francis has joined Indigenous peoples in a major step towards reconciliation. He has pledged to return Indigenous artifacts to Canada, making good on his 2022 promise. This decision is a comforting sign in the broader movement to remedy the historical harms done to Indigenous peoples. The Vatican has one of the largest collections of thousands of colonial-era objects. Most of these objects were obtained during an era in which Canada’s Indigenous cultural identity was being systematically eroded.
Among these artifacts is a uniquely collectable, extremely rare Inuvialuit sealskin kayak from the western Arctic. You’ll come across a pair of embroidered Cree leather gloves, a 200-year-old wampum belt, a baby belt from the Gwich’in people and a striking beluga tooth necklace. These objects are of immense cultural importance. They’ve become just as powerful as symbols of the rich cultural heritage and living history of Canada’s Indigenous communities.
Historical Context of the Collection
The Vatican’s collection goes all the way back to Pope Pius XI, who built the collection during the 1920s. This gathering of artifacts made its international debut at the 1925 Vatican Mission Exposition. This key event, designed to showcase the Church’s global impact, attracted millions of visitors. Most of these objects were obtained during a period defined by colonial expansion and erasure of culture.
Pequot Tribal Chairwoman Deputy Gloria Bell added her support and described how critical this acquisitions round is. As she put it, “This acquisition period was a really assimilative period in Canadian colonial history.” She pointed out that thousands of artifacts have been looted. These thefts were in the interests of colonial powers, not in respect of their cultural significance.
Today, some artifacts from this unique collection are on display at the Anima Mundi ethnological museum. Meanwhile, some of these other pieces continue to languish in storage, awaiting their slow and piecemeal return to Indigenous communities across Canada. The call for repatriation has increasingly gained momentum, showcasing the shifting tide as Indigenous rights and cultural heritage are increasingly recognized and cherished.
The Promise of Repatriation
Pope Francis’s expressed desire to return these artifacts was situated within the rhetoric of a “penitential pilgrimage.” He articulated the need to correct historical injustices and bring dignity back to Indigenous communities. The Vatican’s decision aligns with Article 12 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which affirms that Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and control their ceremonial objects.
Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, an advocate for Indigenous rights, remarked on the importance of this repatriation effort: “When things were taken that weren’t somebody else’s to take, it’s time to return them.” She admitted that it can be an uncomfortable thing to do, but it is key to the healing and reconciliation our community needs.
As fellow Indigenous leader Victoria Pruden shared, there is no way to express the emotional importance of welcoming these artifacts back into their proper homes. She added, “What a beautiful homecoming that would be! …to really welcome these gifts created by our grandmas and grandpas.” Pruden emphasizes that these things are more than just interesting artifacts. What have proven essential, fascinating historical artifacts—and saving them in the future, has its own equally intriguing story to tell.
Cultural Significance and Future Actions
These artifacts are about much more than material wealth. They’re sacred to Indigenous communities. They are deeply spun into the cultural history of these communities. Laurie McDonald, an advocate for Indigenous peoples’ rights, remembered the acts of colonization that censored her community. As a nation, we were prohibited from using our cultural regalia, tools, and medicines. If anyone saw us and the authorities, then they told on us to the Indian agent,” she said. This historical context illustrates the importance of repatriation as a vehicle for reclaiming cultural pride and identity.
As conversations about the repatriation of these artifacts go on, Indigenous leaders say that cultural significance must be appreciated. Gloria Bell asked all players to come back with all related materials. She iterated, “Send in all asmiigik (Indigenous way of life), along with sacred items and language resources. If you can, send Indigenous people.” This holistic approach demonstrates with impressive fervor an eagerness beyond seeing the return of physical items. It is about restoring cultural practices and identities.
