Over 60 sacred artifacts, including a rare Inuit kayak, land in Montreal after a 100-year journey from the Vatican
A historic moment unfolded at Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport Saturday as more than 60 Indigenous artifacts taken by the Vatican a century ago were finally returned home to Canada. Among the treasures was a rare Inuit sealskin kayak—one of only five known to exist.
Collected during a 1925 Vatican exhibition, the sacred items represent the cultural heritage of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities within Canada. The return comes after a three-year campaign by Indigenous leaders, following decades of calls for repatriation and the legacy of church-run residential schools.
The artifacts arrived via Frankfurt, Germany, after careful preparation and ceremonial blessings. Experts familiar with the artifacts say these items act as living links to Indigenous ancestors, capable of revitalizing lost traditions, crafts and knowledge across communities.
Despite returning the treasures to their rightful communities, thousands more remain within Vatican hands.
Canadian museums will carefully examine the artifacts before returning them to their communities, where they will serve as teachers and cultural anchors for generations.
The landmark decision by the Vatican shines a spotlight on the rights of Indigenous peoples and the urgent need for museums and institutions worldwide to confront the legacies of colonial-era collections.
The Vatican has officially taken a step toward correcting it.
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