Vatican Museums to Return Rare Indigenous Kayak to Canada
The Vatican is collaborating with the Canadian Catholic Church to repatriate Indigenous artefacts. Among them is an ancient Inuvialuit kayak held by the Vatican Museums since 1925, which will be returned to the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Québec.
Historical Context of the Kayak
This centuries-old kayak, one of only five known to exist, was acquired during a world exhibition organized by Pope Pius XI. He directed Catholic missionaries worldwide to collect physical examples representing “Indigenous life” from their respective regions. Through this initiative, over 100,000 objects were sent to Rome, many becoming part of the Vatican’s permanent collection.
Significance of the Kayak
In a period when Canada faced forced conversion and the abuses of residential schools, the kayak symbolizes both colonial oppression and Indigenous endurance.
Other Repatriated Items
Besides the Inuvialuit kayak from the western Arctic, several other cultural artifacts will also be returned to Canada. These include:
- A face mask from Haida Gwaii
- Beaded skin moccasins
- Birch bark etchings
- An ivory and sea-kelp sled sculpture
Collection Location
Many Indigenous items, including a large portion of the Vatican’s Indigenous collection, remain housed in the ethnological section of the Vatican Museums, known as the “Animus Mundi” or “soul of the world.”
“Indigenous life” — Pope Pius XI’s instruction to missionaries to gather tangible examples from their communities.
The return marks a significant step in addressing past injustices and recognizing Indigenous cultural heritage.
Author’s Summary
This restitution effort highlights the Vatican’s role in returning rare Indigenous cultural artefacts to Canada, symbolizing respect for Indigenous history and resilience.