The Vatican has returned 62 Indigenous artifacts to Canada, including sacred items crucial for healing residential school survivors. This act is part of ongoing reconciliation efforts.

On Saturday, the Vatican returned 62 Indigenous artifacts to Canada, including an Inuit kayak, wampum belts, and war clubs. These items have been held in Vatican museums for over a century and are considered sacred by Indigenous communities. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops received the artifacts from Pope Leo XIV and will transfer them to National Indigenous Organizations to ensure they return to their communities of origin. The artifacts were sent to the Vatican during a time of cultural suppression and abuse within the residential school system. While the Vatican describes this return as a gesture of dialogue and respect, some Indigenous leaders have criticized the process, calling for clearer identification of the items' rightful owners. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand praised the return as a significant step towards reconciliation.