Return of Cultural Heritage Report 2018-2020
The Return of Cultural Heritage Report 2018-2020 details the outstanding success of the AIATSIS-led Return of Cultural Heritage project in returning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage material from overseas to Country.
The report includes a summary of project activities, key findings and lessons learnt as well as our engagement approach and return processes. Additionally, a brief discussion of relevant issues and research regarding repatriation have been included.
Aranda-Kenhe Akngetyalpuma report
Between 2018 and 2020 AIATSIS partnered with Senior Aranda Loremen to repatriate two collections of significant cultural heritage material from the Illinois State Museum and the Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester.
This partnership was part of the Return of Cultural Heritage (RoCH) project, where AIATSIS facilitated and secured the return of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage material to Country in order to support those Custodians to maintain their cultural practices.
This report describes the partnership, collaborative research and ultimately the success of AIATSIS and Aranda’s efforts to repatriate their material. It also demonstrates how the repatriation of cultural heritage material strengthens communities and culture, and promotes reconciliation and healing.
Return of Bardi Jawi artefacts to Country report
Between 2018 and 2020 AIATSIS partnered with the Bardi Jawi to repatriate a collection of significant cultural heritage material from the Illinois State Museum (ISM).
This partnership was part of the Return of Cultural Heritage (RoCH) project, where AIATSIS facilitated and secured the return of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage material to Country in order to support those Custodians to maintain their cultural practices.
This report describes the partnership, collaborative research and ultimately the success of AIATSIS and Bardi Jawi’s
efforts to repatriate their material. It also demonstrates how the repatriation of cultural heritage material
strengthens communities and culture, and promotes reconciliation and healing.
Return of Nyamal artefacts to Country report
Between 2018 and 2020 AIATSIS partnered with Njamal People’s Trust (NPT) to repatriate a collection of significant cultural heritage material from the Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester (MM).
This partnership was part of the Return of Cultural Heritage (RoCH) project, where AIATSIS facilitated and secured the return of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage material to Country in order to support those Custodians to maintain their cultural practices.
This report describes the partnership, collaborative research and ultimately the success of AIATSIS and Nyamal’s efforts to repatriate their material. It also demonstrates how the repatriation of cultural heritage material strengthens communities and culture, and promotes reconciliation and healing.
Thaalijarrmatha Nijinda Durlga Moungibi report
Between 2018 and 2020 AIATSIS partnered with the Gangalidda and Garawa Nations to repatriate a significant collection of cultural heritage material from the Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester.
This partnership was part of the Return of Cultural Heritage (RoCH) project, where AIATSIS facilitated and secured the return of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage material to Country in order to support those Custodians to maintain their cultural practices.
This report describes the partnership, collaborative research and ultimately the success of AIATSIS and the Gangalidda and Garawa’s efforts to repatriate their material. It also demonstrates how the repatriation of cultural heritage material strengthens communities and culture, and promotes reconciliation and healing.
Wayinyjarri-nha (came back) Yindjibarndi report
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this report contains an image of a deceased person.
In July 2020, AIATSIS was approached by, and partnered with, family representatives of Mr Fred Schelling to return eight (8) secular objects to the Yindjibarndi people of the Pilbara, Western Australia (WA).
The return marked the first return under the newly extended Return of Cultural Heritage program and the first from a private collector since the program’s inception.
This report describes the partnership, collaborative research and the successful return of Yindjibarndi material to Country. It also demonstrates how the return of cultural heritage material strengthens communities and culture, and promotes reconciliation and healing.
Return of Yawuru artefacts to Country report
Between 2018 and 2020 AIATSIS partnered with Senior Yawuru Cultural Leaders to repatriate significant cultural heritage material from the Manchester Museum (MM).
This partnership was part of the Return of Cultural Heritage (RoCH) project, where AIATSIS facilitated and secured the return of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage material to Country in order to support those Custodians to maintain their cultural practices.
This report describes the partnership, collaborative research and ultimately the success of AIATSIS and Yawuru’s efforts to repatriate their material. It also demonstrates how the repatriation of cultural heritage material strengthens communities and culture, and promotes reconciliation and healing.
