Queensland Museum agreement will facilitate return of First Nations’ artefacts

July 31, 2024

A Queensland Museum agreement with the Museum of Vancouver will facilitate the return of First Nations’ artefacts and Secret Sacred material.

QLD Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships met with the Museum of Vancouver last year to discuss their proactive and progressive repatriation program and to seek support of the return of Queensland artefacts.

The agreement builds on increased support for repatriation which has seen hundreds of Ancestral Remains, Secret Sacred items and First Nations artefacts returned from around Australia and the world.

The historic agreement with the Museum of Vancouver begins the process to repatriate artefacts back to Queensland.

Initially, a number of items will be transferred to Queensland Museum where they will be cared for before they are returned home to communities.

This engagement has generated interest from other international institutions interested in returning First Nations’ artefacts back to Queensland, such as Sheffield Museum who have proactively reached out to seek a similar agreement.

Queensland Museum Chief Executive Dr Jim Thompson notes “Repatriation requires extensive consultation and delicate negotiation over many years.

“Queensland Museum cares for approximately 1,394 Ancestral Remains and Secret Sacred objects.

“Queensland Museum remains committed to repatriation as a central objective of Customs Culture and Country: First Nations Strategy 2024-28, and welcomes engagement with communities regarding repatriation of Ancestral Remains and Secret Sacred items held in care.”

Queensland Museum Director, First Nations Dr Bianca Beetson adds “Repatriation of Ancestral Remains, Secret Sacred objects and artefacts is increasingly seen as a critical step in the process of reconciliation with First Nations peoples around the world.

“Many institutions are now addressing this process proactively and are leading by example in directly contacting the Queensland Museum. We welcome this approach.”

The Queensland Museum is also continuing its work with other worldwide institutions to secure the return of Queensland Ancestral Remains, Secret Sacred objects and general artefacts, including the Natural History Museum in London, the Ethnological Museum of Berlin and a number of European museums. This work is being done in partnership with the Federal Government.

The State Government has provided $4.58 million to Queensland Museum over five years (2023-24 to 2027-28) to support the repatriation of Ancestral Remains and Secret Sacred objects belonging to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Queensland.

Directly supported through this funding, Queensland Museum has returned three Ancestral Remains to the peoples of Mapoon and has facilitated the return of one Ancestor to the Weipa Peninsula People from Victoria.

Queensland Museum is also recruiting five new positions to engage and enhance Queensland Museum’s relationships with First Nations peoples and coordinate the care and management of Ancestral Remains and Secret Sacred objects held in care.

Queensland Museum cares for approximately 1,394 Ancestral Remains and Secret Sacred objects belonging to First Nations peoples from Australia and the Pacific.

Queensland Museum has also partnered with the Queensland United Australian South Sea Islander Council to co-design a framework that will guide repatriation of their Pacific Islander Ancestors.

Access the Customs Culture and Country: First Nations Strategy 2024-28

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