The Vatican returns Indigenous artifacts, now at Canadian museum

First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders reclaimed dozens of artifacts from the Vatican on Saturday, Dec. 6, according to AP News. Pope Leo XIV gave back the 62 items after years of Indigenous leaders calling for their return. They are now at the Canadian Museum of History in Quebec but are not on display as each artifact is studied for its origin.

The returned artifacts include an Inuit kayak, soup ladle, needle casings and an ulu knife. It’s unclear how the kayak was acquired by the Vatican, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Natan Obed said at an event on Tuesday where the artifacts were revealed. But, he was quoted as saying, their return is “part of reconciliation.”