A significant milestone has been reached as more than sixty cultural artifacts belonging to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities are now on their way back to their rightful homes. After three years of negotiations, these items, previously housed in Vatican museums and vaults for a century, arrived at Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport on Saturday.
During a press conference in Montreal, Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, emphasized that this event marks a crucial step but is only the beginning of the journey towards repatriating all cultural artifacts. The items, mostly unidentified, include 14 Inuit pieces, such as an Inuvialuit kayak used for hunting beluga whales, one Métis item, and the rest originating from various First Nations across Canada.
Last week, a delegation from the AFN traveled to Rome to conduct ceremonies as the artifacts were prepared for transportation. The items were then transported to Frankfurt, Germany, before finally arriving in Montreal. Among those present to welcome the artifacts were youth representatives like Katisha Paul, who expressed eagerness to see the belongings reconnected with their natural elements.
Representatives from the AFN, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), and Métis National Council (MNC) were present to receive the artifacts. The welcoming ceremony featured traditional practices, including Inuit throat singing and the Red River jig.
The artifacts, part of thousands sent to Rome for an exhibition in the 1920s, were repatriated through a church-to-church transfer to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB). Negotiations for the return began in 2022 and expanded into a collaborative effort between ITK, AFN, and the Métis National Council.
Moving forward, the items will be transported to the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., for examination and acclimatization. Woodhouse Nepinak highlighted the ongoing work required and the AFN’s plan to organize a public ceremony in January. Additionally, a resolution was passed to establish a First Nations-led task force to formulate a national repatriation strategy.
Despite the progress, challenges remain, as emphasized by leaders like Manitoba Métis Federation president David Chartrand, who seeks further discussions with the Vatican regarding additional Métis artifacts in their possession. The return of these cultural items signifies a crucial step towards reconciliation and honoring the heritage of Indigenous communities in Canada.