The Albanese Labor Government has welcomed the return of 10 First Nations ancestors from three Japanese collecting institutions. A joint ceremony was held in Tokyo to acknowledge the significance of returning these ancestors back to their Traditional Custodians and country of origin. This is the first ever return of ancestors from Japan.
Seven ancestors were returned from the University of Tokyo, which included one Kaurna Old Person who was returned to the South Australian Kaurna Nation Traditional Custodians.
The University of Kyoto returned two ancestors to their respective community representatives from Western Australia. This included representatives from the Bardi and Jawi community and Yawuru community from the Kimberley region.
The National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo also returned one ancestor with provenance to Australia, so they could be cared for closer to home.
This return of ancestors from Japan is a result of our countries working closely together to identify ancestors held in Japanese collecting institutions and supporting the important discussions to enable their return to Australia.
This follows another successful repatriation in April that welcomed 36 Queensland ancestors home from the Natural History Museum in London, bringing the total of repatriated ancestors from collecting institutions and private holdings in the United Kingdom to over 1300.
These returns mean the Australian Government has now repatriated more than 1,785 ancestors from overseas collections in partnership with First Nations people.
Australia's National Cultural Policy, acknowledges the importance of respecting and promoting the rights of First Nations people to repatriate their ancestors back to their homelands.
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke MP
"This repatriation is the result of the government's 35-year dedication to supporting the global repatriation of First Nations ancestors.
"Every repatriation brings us a step closer to reconciliation and I would like to thank the Japanese Government and the respective Japanese institutions for their commitment to supporting the return of First Nations ancestors back to Country."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy
"The return of these ancestors to Country, the first such repatriation from Japan, reinforces the continuing shift by collecting institutions internationally to righting some of the past injustices carried out against First Nations people.
"The Albanese Government will continue to advocate for the return of First Nations ancestors to their Country and their people. I commend all parties involved for their work toward this successful outcome."
Quotes attributable to Bolo Angus, Bardi and Jawi Representative, Dampier Peninsula, Western Australia
"Repatriation is a vital step toward healing the deep wounds caused by the forced removal of our ancestors from their resting places. For our community, it is not just about bringing bones home-it is about restoring dignity, honouring our old people, and reconnecting spirit to Country. This healing is not only for us, the living, but for the spirit of the ancestors who have waited so long to come home."
True reconciliation cannot happen without truth, justice, and respect. Returning our ancestors is an act of acknowledging past wrongs and showing respect for First Nations cultures and spiritual beliefs."
Quotes attributable to Neil McKenzie, Yawuru Representative, Broome, Western Australia
"It is important to bring the ancestors back to their Country and it is our cultural responsibility to ensure that this happens. The return of our Yawuru ancestor acknowledges the truth of Yawuru history and the treatment of our ancestors who were removed from Country without consent.
We hold genuine hope that this process of truth telling will enable us to gain respectful recognition, so that we can move forward in a truly reconciled manner, leading to collective healing and empowerment."
Quotes attributable to Mitzi Nam, Kaurna Representative, Adelaide, South Australia
"For many years the ancestral remains of Kaurna Old People were collected by museums and universities without consent, which caused great sadness and anger, and these feelings have been carried for generations.
The Kaurna People want to bring the Old People home to where their spirits lie. The Traditional Custodians have been tirelessly working to return the Kaurna Old People to Country, so they can rest, and while past wrongs cannot be forgotten, pathways to healing can start for all generations."
Images from the ceremony can be found here.
