First nations artefacts will be returned to Queensland from Canada under an agreement with the Museum of Vancouver.
The Queensland government has provided $4.58 million to Queensland Museum to repatriate ancestral remains and secret sacred objects belonging to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Under the deal with the Museum of Vancouver, the returned items will initially be held at Queensland Museum before being returned to communities.
Queensland Museum Director First Nations Bianca Beetson says repatriation of objects, artefacts and remains is seen around the world as a critical step in reconciliation with First Nations peoples.
“Many institutions are now addressing this process proactively and are leading by example in directly contacting the Queensland Museum. We welcome this approach,” she said.
International interest
Arts minister Leeane Enoch says the engagement with Vancouver has generated interest from other international institutions interested in returning First Nations’ artefacts to Queensland, including Sheffield Museum in the UK.
The Queensland Museum, with federal government backing, is also working with other global institutions to return ancestral remains and artefacts, including the Natural History Museum in London, the Ethnological Museum of Berlin and a number of European museums.
Repatriation of ancestral remains, secret sacred objects and significant cultural heritage to Country and Community is a basic human right, and a crucial step on the truth telling, healing and reconciliation journey of Queensland.
Leeane Enoch
“Repatriation of ancestral remains, secret sacred objects and significant cultural heritage to Country and Community is a basic human right, and a crucial step on the truth telling, healing and reconciliation journey of Queensland,” Ms Enoch said.
“The Queensland Museum continues to build international relationships and work with overseas institutions to bring more cultural heritage items, Ancestral Remains and Secret and Sacred objects, held overseas back to Queensland.”
Queensland Museum cares for approximately 1,394 Ancestral Remains and Secret Sacred objects belonging to First Nations peoples from Australia and the Pacific.
It has so far returned three ancestral remains to the people of Mapoon and has facilitated the return of one ancestor to the Weipa Peninsula People in Victoria and is boosting staff to coordinate the care and management of objects held in care.
The museum has also partnered with the Queensland United Australian South Sea Islander Council on a framework to guide repatriation of Pacific Islander ancestors.
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