The Vatican returned 62 artifacts to Indigenous peoples from Canada on Saturday, marking a significant step in the Catholic Church’s efforts to address its historical role in suppressing Indigenous cultures in the Americas.
The artifacts, which include an iconic Inuit kayak, were given to a delegation of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops during an audience with Pope Leo XIV. A joint statement from the Vatican and Canadian church described the returned items as a gift and a “concrete sign of dialogue, respect and fraternity.”
Details of the Returned Artifacts
The items were part of the Vatican Museum’s ethnographic collection, known as the Anima Mundi museum. This collection has faced scrutiny as discussions on the restitution of cultural heritage taken from Indigenous peoples during colonial periods gain prominence.
Many artifacts in the Vatican collection were sent to Rome in 1925 by Catholic missionaries for an exhibition in the Vatican gardens, which highlighted the church’s global outreach and the lives of Indigenous peoples. The Vatican asserts that these items were given as gifts to Pope Pius XI.
However, historians and Indigenous advocates question whether these items were truly offered voluntarily, considering the power dynamics present during the time of Catholic missions. Catholic religious orders played a role in enforcing the Canadian government’s forced assimilation policies aimed at eradicating Indigenous traditions.
This policy included the confiscation of items used in Indigenous spiritual and traditional ceremonies, resulting in these artifacts being housed in museums across Canada, the U.S., and Europe, as well as in private collections.
Recent Negotiations and Context
Discussions around the return of the Vatican’s artifacts intensified following a meeting between Pope Francis and Indigenous leaders in 2022. During this meeting, leaders were shown parts of the collection and expressed their desire for the return of specific items, such as wampum belts, war clubs, and masks.
Pope Francis later endorsed the return of these artifacts on a case-by-case basis, advocating for gestures of reconciliation. The Vatican stated that the returned items were given back during this Holy Year, coinciding with the centennial of their initial exhibition in Rome.
The joint statement emphasized the importance of safeguarding and respecting the artifacts, noting that while the Canadian Catholic hierarchy is responsible for their care, the ultimate custodianship will reside with Indigenous communities.
The artifacts are expected to be transported to the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec, where experts and Indigenous groups will identify their origins and determine the appropriate next steps regarding their stewardship.
Broader Reflections on Colonialism
In 2023, the Vatican formally rejected the “Doctrine of Discovery,” a set of doctrines used to justify the colonial seizure of Native lands, representing a significant acknowledgment of the church’s complicity in colonial abuses. However, the statement did not address demands for the Vatican to formally rescind the papal bulls that supported these actions.
The Vatican referenced this repudiation in its announcement regarding the return of the artifacts, indicating that the gesture represents the conclusion of a “journey” begun under Pope Francis.
