The goal of this article is to offer, through the phenomenon of ritualisation, an analysis of the meaning and representation effects generated by the “patrimonialisation” of Amerindian cultures in Quebec province. The data comes from an ethnographic investigation of ritual practices present in various types of patrimonial valorization, in particular museum exhibits, festivals and powwow. Based on a reflexion on the concepts of sacrality and cultural sensitivity, the analysis shows the dynamic relation which exists between logics of visibility inherent in patrimonial valorization and logics of secrecy or hiding. The text is concluded by the formulation of hypothesis on the diplomatic function of these ritual practices.