"The centuries-old kayak, one of only five in existence, came into the possession of the Vatican in the context of a world exhibition organised by Pope Pius the XI, who had instructed Catholic missionaries across the world to provide tangible examples of "Indigenous life" from their assigned regional communities. Over 100,000 objects were sent to Rome in this manner, many becoming part of the Vatican's permanent collection."
"In an era marked in Canada by systems of forced conversion and the moral scourge of residential schools, this Inuvialuit kayak serves as a reminder of colonialist iniquity and Indigenous resilience. A large percentage of the Vatican's Indigenous collection remains in the ethnological section of the Vatican Museums, known as the "Animus Mundi" or "soul of the world". Also being restituted to Canada, along with the kayak from the western Arctic, are a face mask from Haida Gwaii, beaded skin moccasins, birch bark etchings"
The Vatican Museums will return an ancient Inuvialuit kayak held since 1925 to the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Québec, as part of restitution. The kayak, one of only five in existence, was acquired through a world exhibition organised under Pope Pius XI after Catholic missionaries were instructed to collect tangible examples of Indigenous life; over 100,000 objects were sent to Rome. The kayak represents colonial harms including forced conversion and residential schools and also Indigenous resilience. Additional items to be returned include a Haida face mask, beaded skin moccasins, birch bark etchings and an ivory and sealskin sled sculpture. The Canadian Catholic Church and the Vatican are coordinating a church-to-church donation aimed for completion by year-end.
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