In a significant act of international cooperation and cultural recognition, the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery today formally returned 33 culturally significant objects to the Larrakia People of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

The objects – spears, spear throwers and a club – were collected in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and have been held in the museum’s collection for decades. Their return is part of the Australian Government’s Return of Cultural Heritage (RoCH) program, led by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS).

The ceremony, held at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery on 1 September, included speeches from Larrakia representatives, Bristol City Council and Australian Government representatives.

The event was attended by community leaders and international guests. Among them were Larrakia representatives - Nigel Browne and Mikayla Lee, Australia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom - The Hon Stephen Smith, The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Bristol - Councillor Henry Michallat, and Leader of the Bristol City Council - Councillor Tony Dyer.

The objects will be temporarily housed at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory until the opening of the Larrakia Cultural Centre in 2026 – a landmark cultural facility which is currently being built adjacent to the sacred site of Stokes Hill, Darwin Harbour. This is a project of the Larrakia Development Corporation.

Mark Motlop, Chairperson of the Larrakia Development Corporation and Larrakia man explains, “Today is an extremely important milestone for the revitalisation and maintenance of Larrakia culture, now and for future generations, as we accept these culturally significant artefacts from the Bristol Museum back to the rightful custodianship of Larrakia people.

It has been a long and emotional journey for Larrakia people in the repatriation of these items to Larrakia Country - one that will facilitate healing and the intergenerational transfer of knowledge. Once returned to their rightful place on Larrakia Country, in Darwin, Australia, these items will be displayed at the Larrakia Cultural Centre, opening in 2026 ensuring their stories are honoured and shared with the world for many years to come.”

During the ceremony, Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, recognised the importance of this return for the city of Bristol and for Bristol Museums. Councillor Tony Dyer, said:

“We are proud to support the respectful return of these items of cultural heritage to the Larrakia People. We are grateful to have been able to work closely with everyone involved in this formal repatriation, this international collaboration has allowed us to take a powerful and significant step forward towards shared understanding and partnership.”

Leonard Hill, CEO of AIATSIS, described the return as a powerful example of how collaboration between communities and institutions can restore cultural authority and support intergenerational knowledge. He noted, “These items belong with their people, on their Country, where they can once again contribute to cultural life and intergenerational knowledge.”

This event follows on from the recent return of cultural objects to Larrakia from the Fowler Museum in Los Angeles, USA on 20 May 2025. It will further enrich the experience of the Larrakia Cultural Centre, which will serve as a hub for cultural tourism, language revitalisation and education, offering people a chance to engage with Larrakia knowledge and traditions through the lens of its Traditional Owners.

Access the full Media Kit here.

Media enquiries

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, United Kingdom
Email press enquiries to newsdesk@bristol.gov.uk - office hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays. For out of hours enquiries, call 07467 335790.
Website: bristolmuseums.org.uk/bristol-museum-and-art-gallery
Facebook: @BristolMuseumandArtGallery
Instagram: @bristolmuseums

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Australia
commsmedia@aiatsis.gov.au
Website: aiatsis.gov.au
Facebook: @AIATSIS
Instagram: @aiatsis

Attributable quotes:

Larrakia representatives

Nigel Browne (Larrakia peoples), CEO of Aboriginal Investment NT

“As the former CEO of Larrakia Development Corporation and having worked with the outstanding team at AIATSIS for over three years to arrive at this point, it is with a great sense of pride and honour that I am able to now participate in this repatriation process for my people. Most importantly, I look forward to seeing these artefacts on display at the Larrakia Cultural Centre along with all the other repatriated items yet to come home.”

Mikayla Lee (Larrakia peoples), Larrakia Cultural Centre Advisory Group member

“Bringing our Ancestors spears home is about passing culture on to our young ones, keeping our role as custodians strong, and building a bridge of respect between our communities and the institutions that have held these objects. When they come home, it opens the door for truth-telling, healing, and walking together in reconciliation. These spears belong on Country, where the energy and spirit our Ancestors put into them still lives, and where they’ve always belonged.”

City of Bristol

Councillor Tony Dyer, the Leader of the Bristol City Council

“We are proud to support the respectful return of these items of cultural heritage to the Larrakia People. We are grateful to have been able to work closely with everyone involved in this formal repatriation, this international collaboration has allowed us to take a powerful and significant step forward towards shared understanding and partnership.”

Australian Government

Senator The Hon. Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians

“I congratulate Larrakia Elders, AIATSIS and the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery for their work to return these important cultural items to their rightful custodians, the Larrakia people.

“I look forward to seeing these items eventually being displayed at the new Larrakia Cultural Centre on Larrakia Country in Darwin, so they can be shared with future generations."

“The Albanese Government is proud to invest in the AIATSIS-led Return of Cultural Heritage program, which facilitates the safe return of cultural heritage material held in overseas collections.”

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)

Leonard Hill, Chief Executive Officer, AIATSIS

“The return of these items to the Larrakia people is a profound act of recognition and respect. It reflects our shared commitment to truth-telling and to restoring cultural authority to First Nations communities. These objects belong with their people, on their Country, where they can once again contribute to cultural life and intergenerational knowledge.” Nations communities. These objects belong with their people, on their Country, where they can once again contribute to cultural life and intergenerational knowledge.”