Process

The National Museum of Australia attempts to identify appropriate custodians for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander remains and secret and sacred objects.

Once a prospective custodian, custodial group, or representative body has been identified, they are advised in writing of the nature of the remains or objects available for return, and the various services available.

Prospective custodians are invited to provide extra information that may assist in the repatriation of remains. This information may include:

• The specific remains or secret and sacred objects requested.
• The identities of the persons, groups, or community on whose behalf the application is made.
• Evidence of support for the application from local representative organisations such as land councils, native title representative bodies, legal services, government Indigenous or heritage bodies, or other community organisations.
• A statement of support from members of the relevant group, where an organisation is making an application.
• A statement that the applicants are entitled by the traditions and customs of their community to apply for the remains or secret and sacred objects.
• The relationship of the applicants to the remains or secret and sacred objects requested.
• Contact addresses for other groups or organisations that support the application.
• Any other issues or information that may assist in the application (eg specific geographic locations).

An Iningai custodian returns the remains of five Aboriginal people from central-western Queensland to a sacred Keeping Place at the Longreach cemetery in 2007. Photo: Michael Pickering.

Provision of such information is not mandatory and, in most cases, the National Museum accepts the potential claimant group's rights of ownership based on information gained in the process of identifying them.

A Museum officer consults further with the applicants and other parties with potential interests. The return of the remains or objects takes place with instructions from the custodians.

With the exception of signing a receipt for remains or objects, returns are currently unconditional.

Custodians may deal with the remains or objects as they see fit. Sometimes this involves communities asking the National Museum to retain remains for safe keeping.

With additional government funding, the National Museum can sometimes offer logistical and financial support. This includes:

• Assistance with travel for applicants to view and pick up the remains and secret and sacred objects.
• Visits to the community by Museum officers to discuss the process or to deliver remains or secret and sacred objects.
• Assistance with funding for ceremonies associated with the receipt of the remains or secret and sacred objects.
• Assistance with obtaining more detailed advice into characteristics of the remains or secret and sacred objects.

The National Museum also offers to provide a plain English community report on human remains.

These reports provide information such as the age, sex, and health of the individual, what is known of the history of collection, and other potential significance.

Where groups do not have the resources to take receipt of remains or objects, the Museum may offer to store them temporarily on their behalf.

The remains or secret and sacred objects are the property of the community and custodians and the Museum claims no authority over them, beyond keeping them safe and secure.

The National Museum also provides repatriation-related advice and assistance to Federal, State, and Territory cultural heritage institutions, Indigenous communities, and representatives, to the media and public.

Repatriation Program Director
c/- Duty Curator
National Museum of Australia
GPO Box 1901
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Australia

Tel + 61 2 6208 5019
Email curator@nma.gov.au

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