Vatican Returns Indigenous Artifacts to Canada After 100 Years

Indigenous artifacts from Vatican welcomed home to Canada in Montreal ceremony

By Peter Stockland and The B.C. Catholic DORVAL, Quebec (OSV News) — Archbishop Richard W. Smith of Vancouver, British Columbia, said the 62 Indigenous cultural items received from the Vatican mark “a gift freely given” and an important step in rebuilding trust between the Catholic Church and Indigenous peoples. A deeply prayerful celebration greeted their arrival at Montreal’s Trudeau Airport in Dorval on Dec. 6, even after a delay in transit f…

GLOBAL INDIGENOUS: Vatican returns sacred First Nations, Métis items

Coverage around the world on Indigenous issues for the week ending Dec. 7, 2025

Vatican returns controversial collection of Indigenous artefacts

Vatican returns Indigenous artifacts to Canada after 100 years

Some 62 artifacts connected to Indigenous peoples of Canada that had been in the Vatican's possession for a century arrived at Montreal's airport on Saturday.

Indigenous artifacts from the Vatican collection return to Canada

By Sidhartha Banerjee First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders welcomed back dozens of Indigenous artifacts released from the Vatican collection at Montreal’s airport Saturday. The 62 items will ultimately be returned to their communities of origin as an act of furthering reconciliation. Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said it was an important and emotional moment for all First Nations, and she hoped it would be im…