The items consisted of spears and various ceremonial objects taken from the Larrakia people, with the earliest dating back to 1881.
“It’s not just about the past here. It’s about the future, teaching the next generation about their heritage.”
A spear and club were donated in 1881, five spears were donated by a London boarding school in 1934, and in 1939 a collection of spears and spear throwers were donated by a relative of a British botanist who had “acquired” them while working at the Darwin Botanical Gardens.
Larrakia representatives, Nigel Browne and Mikayla Lee attended the return ceremony at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery in the UK. Source: Supplied / ©Bristol Design, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
As the collection of cultural treasures embark on their long journey home to Country, the plan is to display the them at the Larrakia Cultural Centre when it opens in 2026.
AIATSIS CEO, Leonard Hill said the return of the objects was a profound act of recognition and respect.
“These objects belong with their people, on their Country, where they can once again contribute to cultural life and intergenerational knowledge.”
Nigel Browne with some of the objects at the return ceremony. Source: Supplied / ©Bristol Design, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Larrakia community members and Elders who could not make the journey sent their reactions to seeing photos of the spears.
“It’s a personal insight feeling when you’re sitting there with something close from your own people from your history.”
