OTTAWA - Leaders from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities are gathering at Montreal's airport today to welcome back a collection of Indigenous artifacts that have been returned from the Vatican. The collection includes 61 items that hold significant cultural and historical value.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak expressed gratitude towards both the late Pope Francis and the current Pope Leo for their roles in facilitating this repatriation. "I give my love and respect to the late Pope and the new Pope, and I thank them for doing the right thing, to try and right the wrongs of the past," she said.

Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller will also be present at the airport to witness the arrival of the artifacts. He shared his excitement, stating he is "psyched" to be part of this significant event. Miller has previously worked on repatriation efforts as the minister of Crown-Indigenous relations.

For years, Indigenous leaders have urged the Vatican to return items from its collection that are of Indigenous origin. The conversation around these artifacts intensified after a meeting between First Nations leaders and Pope Francis in 2022, where they discussed the legacy of church-run residential schools. This meeting followed the revelation of potential unmarked graves at a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., which sparked national outrage and a renewed call for reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.

During their visit to the Vatican, First Nations delegates were given a private viewing of some artifacts, including embroidered gloves, a kayak, and a baby sling. Many of these items had not been publicly displayed for decades. Although they left the Vatican without the artifacts at that time, they returned with a strengthened resolve to reclaim their cultural heritage.

Woodhouse Nepinak reflected on the long journey toward this moment, noting that it began around 2006 when former Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued an apology for the government's role in residential schools. This apology led to the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which produced 94 "calls to action" aimed at addressing the legacy of these institutions. Among these calls was a focus on the repatriation of artifacts held in museums and archives.

The Assembly of First Nations passed a resolution advocating for the return of Indigenous artifacts, a resolution that Woodhouse Nepinak helped draft. She emphasized the importance of persistence in their efforts.

The return of the artifacts is seen as a significant step, but Woodhouse Nepinak noted that this is just the beginning. "There's more First Nations artifacts at the Vatican Museum. This is just the start," she stated.

As part of the repatriation efforts, youth representatives Katisha Paul and Peyal Laceese are accompanying the artifacts back to Canada. They expressed the emotional weight of this responsibility, emphasizing that the process is about honoring their ancestors and restoring dignity to their communities. "It's not about bringing home intimate objects or items or even artifacts. To us, it's about bringing home memories. It's about bringing home the dignity and the power that was taken away from our ancestors," Laceese said.

The artifacts will not be available for public viewing until the new year, as they will need time to acclimatize to their new environment. Woodhouse Nepinak mentioned that experts will guide the process to ensure the artifacts are properly cared for.

This repatriation marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing journey toward reconciliation and recognition of Indigenous rights and heritage in Canada.