Inuvialuit kayak, other items from Vatican to be unveiled at Museum of History

By Canadian Press on December 9, 2025.

OTTAWA — A selection of Inuit items returned from the Vatican this weekend will be shown at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., today.

They include a traditional Inuvialuit kayak, believed to be one of five built more than 100 years ago.

First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders welcomed back dozens of Indigenous artifacts released from the Vatican collection at Montreal’s airport on Saturday.

The 62 items ultimately will be returned to their communities of origin as an act of reconciliation.

First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders have for years called on the Vatican to repatriate Indigenous items in their collection.

Indigenous leaders were on hand Saturday to watch as the priceless artifacts were removed from the belly of an Air Canada cargo jet in large crates.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 9, 2025.

Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press