Image: Dr Tim Littlewood, Executive Director for Science and Sarah Long, Head of Registry, Natural History Museum © Trustees of the Natural History Mus
The London museum has repatriated 36 First Nations ancestors to Queensland, Australia following collaboration with communities and government.
The Natural History Museum in London hosted a formal ceremony yesterday to mark the return of 36 First Nations ancestors to Australia.
Taking place on 10 April 2025, the event was attended by representatives from Australia’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, Queensland Museum and Traditional Custodians from Queensland communities.
Six ancestors are being returned directly to their identified communities in Queensland: one to the Woppaburra Community, one to the Warrgamay Community, two to the Wuthathi Community and two to the Yadhighana Community. The remaining 30 ancestors with provenance to Queensland will be cared for under Australian government stewardship until their Traditional Custodians can be identified.
The ceremony represents the fourth return of ancestors from the Natural History Museum to Australia, with over 220 ancestors previously agreed for return to Tasmania, South Australia and the Torres Strait Islands. Museum staff conducted detailed archival research across several organisations to establish the provenance of the ancestors before sharing their findings with the Australian government and communities.
Museum staff carried out detailed archival research to understand the provenance of the ancestors, working with complex historical resources held at several organisations. A report was shared with the Australian government and communities, who then outlined their wishes.
Director of the Natural History Museum Dr Doug Gurr said: “It was a privilege” for the museum to host Traditional Custodians from the Warrgamay, Woppaburra and Wuthathi communities, alongside colleagues from Queensland Museum and the Australian government and High Commission.
“The special ceremony was a deeply poignant moment, following close collaboration with the Australian government to reunite the communities with their ancestors.”
Woppaburra Representative Wayne Blair said: “The repatriation of ancestor’s remains, is the embodiment of Reconciliation and Healing, for First Nation communities across Australia.
“Domestic and Overseas, you are not returning science specimens, you are returning ancestors to their families, their descendants, whose eternal pain of loss brings healing. Repatriation and the return of ancestors, is the only open door for reconciliation to truly begin healing for injustices of the past, for First Nation Elders and communities across Australia.”
Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, Jim Betts said the repatriation of ancestors is “a priority for First Nations people. It is an acknowledgement of past injustices, and a step on the road towards reconciliation. It is an honour to be able to support the community representatives as they carry this cultural responsibility.”
