THE POPE and the POTLATCH.

The article discusses the historical and cultural significance of First Nations regalia, specifically Potlatch masks and a ceremonial rattle, currently held in the Vatican Ethnological Museum Anima Mundi. These artifacts, which were collected during the 1925 Pontifical Missionary Exposition, are viewed by Indigenous leaders, such as Wayne Alfred and his mother Pauline, as symbols of cultural suppression and loss, stemming from the actions of Catholic missionaries who sought to eradicate Indigenous practices. The article highlights the ongoing discussions about the moral implications of the Vatican's possession of these items and the potential for their repatriation, especially in light of the Vatican's recent repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery and its commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. [Extracted from the article]