An Indigenous Catholic in Canada Reflects On the return to Canada’s Indigenous peoples, their artifacts which were taken a hundred years ago and ‘gifted’ to the Vatican
By Rose-Alma Mcdonald
Background
The Vatican has recently returned 62 cultural artifacts to Indigenous communities in Canada as a step toward reconciliation.
Pope Leo fulfills Francis’ promise: 62 Indigenous artifacts returned to Canada (link to article in America Magazine)
The items were formally transferred on November 15, 2025, from Pope Leo XIV to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) and are expected to arrive in Canada on December 6, 2025.
Details of the Repatriation
Number of items: A total of 62 cultural objects were returned.
Notable items: The collection includes a century-old Inuvialuit kayak used for whale hunts, a wampum belt, embroidered Cree leather gloves, and a Gwich'in baby belt.
Origin: The majority of the items were sent to Rome by Catholic missionaries for Pope Pius XI's 1925 World Missionary Exhibition and have since been housed in the Vatican Museums' ethnological collection, known as the Anima Mundi museum.
Controversy over acquisition: The Vatican has long maintained the items were "gifts," but Indigenous leaders and historians dispute this, arguing that given the power imbalances and forced assimilation policies (such as the potlatch ban) at the time, they could not have been offered freely.
The Return Process
The late Pope Francis had promised to return the artifacts during a 2022 meeting with Indigenous delegations. Pope Leo XIV has fulfilled this promise, framing the return as a "concrete sign of dialogue, respect and fraternity".
Intermediary role: The artifacts were gifted to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), which has faced some criticism from those who prefer a direct, Indigenous-led process rather than a "church-to-church" or "state-to-state" approach.
Next steps in Canada: The items will initially be housed at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec. There, Indigenous-led teams will identify their specific communities of origin and facilitate their final return.
Ceremonies: Indigenous leaders have stressed the importance of performing necessary ceremonies for the objects before and after their journey to Canada, recognizing them not just as artifacts, but as "living, sacred pieces" of their cultures.
This action is part of the Catholic Church's broader efforts toward truth, justice, and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada, following Pope Francis's 2022 apology for the church's role in the residential school system and the Vatican's 2023 repudiation of the "Doctrine of Discovery".
Response as an Indigenous Catholic in Canada
The return of these artifacts to Canada’s Indigenous peoples is profoundly significant—not only as a symbolic act, but as a tangible step toward repairing relationships that were deeply damaged by centuries of colonial policies. For many Indigenous communities, these items are not mere “objects.” They are living pieces of culture, infused with spirit, ancestral knowledge, and teachings that were meant to be passed down through generations. Their removal a hundred years ago represented a deliberate attempt to disrupt Indigenous identity, silence cultural expression, and sever people from their own heritage.
Seeing these artifacts come home is therefore a moment of both relief and celebration. It is a reminder that despite the efforts to erase or suppress Indigenous cultures, those cultures have endured with strength and resilience. Communities can now reconnect with sacred items, traditional artistry, and historical records that speak to who they are and where they come from. For Elders, this return may bring long-awaited validation. For youth, it offers renewed pride and access to teachings that were taken from their ancestors.
This act also highlights an important truth: reconciliation is not about words alone. It requires concrete actions that recognize Indigenous rights to their cultural heritage and affirm their authority over how that heritage is cared for, displayed, or used. Returning these artifacts demonstrates respect for Indigenous sovereignty, self-determination, and the right to control the narrative of their own history.
Yet, this moment should also prompt reflection. Why did it take a century for these items to come home? What other pieces of culture—held in museums, private collections, or archives—still need to be returned? And how can Canada commit to a future in which such The late Pope Francis had promised to return the artifacts during a 2022 meeting with Indigenous delegations. Pope Leo XIV has fulfilled this promise, framing the return as a "concrete sign of dialogue, respect and fraternity".
The repatriation of these artifacts is not the end of the journey; it is a beginning. It opens the door for deeper collaboration, transparency, and truth-telling. Most importantly, it honors the Indigenous communities whose knowledge, creativity, and traditions have always been foundational to this land. This return is an act of respect, accountability, and hope—and a reminder that healing becomes possible when we restore what was taken and listen to the voices that were too often pushed aside.