Five First Nations Ancestors returned home from Germany

By PETER ROWE

A delegation of community representatives from Ugar Island in the Torres Straits travelled to Germany to witness the repatriation of five First Nations ancestors from two German collecting institutions.

A cultural ceremony was hosted at the Ethnological Museum in Berlin to acknowledge the return five Frusta Nations ancestors by the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation.

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

“First Nations ancestors belong at home on their Country. This return is another step on the road towards reconciliation,” Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke said.

The Ethnological Museum in Berlin hosted the event.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said the repatriation was important because it meant another part of history that was stolen had bee returned, bringing dignity and respect to the First Nations people affected.

“These ancestors are coming home to where they should be – on their Country and with their people,” Minister McCarthy said.

“I commend all parties for their work toward this successful outcome.”

The repatriation of First Nations ancestors is part of an ongoing global dialogue to work towards healing and recognising the injustices of the past.

With this repatriation, 1,735 First Nations ancestors have been returned from overseas, including 162 ancestors from German collecting institutions.