It has been 100 years, but the Vatican is now expected to return Indigenous artifacts to Canada.

As Dan Karpenchuk reports, Indigenous communities are preparing for the return of the items.

The museum in the Vatican City has held the artifacts since 1925.

But in a few weeks, an announcement is expected that will see the return of dozens of artifacts that could be back in Canada by the end of the year.

Indigenous communities have been calling on the Catholic Church for decades to return them.

Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak (Pinaymootang First Nation), National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, has described the artifacts as living, sacred pieces of Indigenous cultures and ceremonies and must be treated as the invaluable objects they are.

Cody Groat is an assistant professor of history and Indigenous studies at Western University in Ontario.

“To us these aren’t just artifacts that we’re going put behind a glass case. These are ancestors in their  own right. They have their own sentients, their own being. So when we repatriate these cultural items, we have to recognize that there’s ceremony associated with that.  This can’t just be a transfer from one box to another to an institution. These are ancestors who need to be welcomed back with ceremony and cultural protocol.”

Groat says it’s not exactly clear what artifacts are held by the Vatican, but an exhibit at the Vatican in 1925 also published a catalogue of specific artifacts, and that’s a starting point to find out what else might be in the collection. 

Groat also says the artifacts are expected to be transferred to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and that the Canadian Museum of History is expected to act as an intermediary. 

He also says it’s important that in all points of the process, First Nations need to be part of the discussions as, he’s sure, there will be challenges since the process is expected to be long and slow but also one that is long overdue.

BlueJay (Kirby Brown) and Goldie (Marta Lu Clifford) on the KMAS Indigenous Radio set at Very Little Theater’s production of “BlueJay’s Canoe,” Tuesday, October 21, 2025. (Photo: Brian Bull / Buffalo’s Fire)

A play about loss, resilience, and the power of Native stories opens November 7 in Eugene, Oreg.

Brian Bull, senior reporter for Buffalo’s Fire, previews “BlueJay’s Canoe”.

The story centers around BlueJay, a DJ at a fictional tribal radio station in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

“And good afternoon, and a good day it is indeed!”

Kirby Brown plays BlueJay, who informs and entertains his listeners through the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 wildfires. But BlueJay also struggles.

“One of BlueJay’s tragic flaws is that he just doesn’t ask for help. When the stuff starts hitting the fan, that’s when we got to hold each other tight.”

The big mystery in the play surrounds an incomplete wooden canoe BlueJay has in storage.

The reason why it’s been left undone unearths a past tragedy, which has given BlueJay survivor’s guilt.

Marta Lu Clifford and Theresa May co-wrote “BlueJay’s Canoe”. Both have specific lessons they’d like the audience to leave with.

Clifford said, “I want them to leave with the importance of stories, the importance of family, and how they are all connected.”

And May said, “Indigenous stories are not artifacts, they’re not myths from some time past. They carry knowledge for the present.”

The storyline also weaves in traditional teachings and legends, told through a spirit person named Heron, who’ll eventually be key to solving the show’s mystery.

“Did you ever hear a story that saved your life?”

“BlueJay’s Canoe” runs through November 23 at the Very Little Theatre in Eugene.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and vice chair, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), are hosting a hearing Wednesday on the impacts of the federal government shutdown and tribes.

Witnesses are leaders from national Native organizations, including in areas of health and education.

The hearing in Washington will also be streamed online.

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Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – News briefs: tribal government disputes, land protection, government shutdown emergency