Natural History Museum hosts formal ceremony, attended by Traditional Custodians, to mark the return of ancestors to Australia

The ceremony marked the return of ancestors to four communities in Queensland:

• One ancestor to the Woppaburra Community
• One ancestor to the Warrgamay Community
• Two ancestors to the Wuthathi Community
• Two ancestors to the Yadhighana Community

The remaining 30 ancestors, with provenance to Queensland, are being returned under Australian government stewardship so they can be cared for closer to home, until such time as their Traditional Custodians can be identified.

The Museum has been working in close collaboration with communities in Australia and with the Australian government to transfer responsibility for ancestors and return them to their places of origin.

The Australian government made a request for return of all ancestral remains from Australia, all of which have been agreed by the Trustees of the Natural History Museum. The Australian government identified an order of priority for considering these returns state by state. This is the fourth return of ancestors from the Natural History Museum to Australia with over 220 ancestors agreed for return to Tasmania, South Australia and the Torres Strait Islands.

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 Natural History 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: “It is our cultural duty and responsibility to bring our ancestors home, to be reburied on Country, finally laid to rest, with dignity and finally at peace. Repatriation of our ancestors, is an eternal flame, the eternal healing is both spiritual and physical, for our Elders and Community.

“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.”

Warrgamay Community Representative Thomas Holden said: “The removal of our ancestors from their resting places was an act of deep disrespect—one that severed our spiritual and cultural connections to Country. For generations, our people have carried the pain of knowing that our ancestors were taken from us, their remains held in institutions and collections far from home.”

“For our community, repatriation is about more than just bringing our ancestors home. It is about reaffirming our sovereignty, our rights, and our deep cultural and spiritual obligations to care for our people, even in death. It is about ensuring that our young people see the strength in our traditions, that they understand the significance of our burial grounds, and that they continue the work of protecting and respecting our ancestors.”

Wuthathi Community Representative Keron Murray said: “The repatriation of our ancestors is a vital step in healing the wounds of the past and restoring the spiritual and cultural balance that was disrupted when they were taken from their homeland. For the Wuthathi people, bringing our ancestors home is not just about physical return – it is about respect dignity, and reaffirming our deep connection to Country.”

“It allows us to fulfil our cultural obligations, honour our Old People, and ensure their spirits can finally rest where they belong. This process strengthens our community, reinforces our identity, and helps heal the intergenerational trauma caused by their removal.”

Australia’s National Cultural Policy, Revive, acknowledges the importance of respecting and promoting the rights of First Nations people to repatriate their ancestors back to their homelands.

The Australian Government has been supporting the return of First Nations ancestors from collecting institutions and private holders overseas to Australia and their Traditional Custodians where known, for more than 30 years.

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.”

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