The Albanese Labor Government has welcomed the return of six First Nations ancestors from New Zealand in a cultural ceremony at the Auckland War Memorial Museum today.
Five ancestors have been returned by the Auckland War Memorial Museum, and one ancestor returned by the University of Auckland.
Community representatives from the Dambeemangaddee community of Collier Bay, Western Australia, travelled to New Zealand to take part in the ceremony and will accompany their ancestor home.
One ancestor was returned under stewardship of the Australian Government at the request of the Wamba Wemba community, Barham, New South Wales.
The Government will provide care for two ancestors with provenance to South Australia and two ancestors with provenance to Australia, until such time as they can be returned to their communities.
Australia’s National Cultural Policy acknowledges the importance of respecting and promoting the rights of First Nations people to repatriate their ancestors.
More than 1,700 First Nations ancestors have been returned from overseas collecting institutions and private collectors over the past 30 years.
The Albanese Labor Government is continuing discussions with a number of New Zealand collecting institutions and universities to support further repatriations, in line with its commitment to the voluntary and unconditional return of ancestors held overseas.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke MP
“We’ll continue to advocate for First Nations communities to see the dignified return of their ancestors to their rightful lands.
“This is essential work and is vital for healing and reconciliation.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy
“The removal of ancestors from Country and taking them so far from home is a historical injustice – and these returns go some way towards righting those wrongs.
“I know these returns will mean so much to the families and communities affected.
"I commend all the parties involved for their tireless work."
Quote attributable to Special Envoy for the Arts, Susan Templeman MP
“It’s an honour to witness the repatriation of these six First Nations ancestors. Moments like this are an important part of Australia’s ongoing journey of healing and reconciliation.”
Quotes attributable to Gary Umbagai, Dambeemangaddee Community
“Within our cultural beliefs as Wanjina-Wunggurr people, we recognise that the spirit of our ancestors is embedded in their bones. Our people’s bones should be in their Country, not somewhere else; that is not right.
“We are pleased to see our ancestor being returned and we know that the spirit of that person will be happy to be home, after such a long time away in a strange place.
“We thank everyone who has been involved in supporting the return of our ancestor as this is part of the healing process.”