A handover ceremony was held at the Ethnological Museum in Berlin, Germany on 5 December 2024.

Representatives from the Ugar Island community carry ancestral remains draped in the Aboriginal flag.
Ugar Island community member Yessie Mosby carries ancestral remains at the handover ceremony, held at the Ethnological Museum in Berlin, Germany.

Five First Nations ancestors have returned home from 2 collecting institutions in Germany. The Ethnological Museum of Berlin hosted a joint handover ceremony that saw the return of:

  • Three ancestors from the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation .
  • Two ancestors from the State Museum for Nature and People Oldenburg.

Four representatives from the Ugar Island community in the Torres Strait Islands travelled to Berlin to accompany their Ugaram Le Omasker ancestors home.

For Sereako Stephen, the return of the Ugar ancestors, who were removed more than 140 years ago, is an act of reconciliation.

'It is time to return our ancestors to their descendants and their community. These ancestors were removed without consent, and now they are coming home.

'We thank everyone who has been involved in this journey of returning our ancestors back to their Traditional Custodians and Country, as this is true reconciliation in action,' he said.

Community representative, Tomson Stephen, acknowledged the impact the return of their ancestors will have on community.

'Returning ancestors to Country is part of the process to progress healing and truth-telling in Australia of the past injustices to First Nations People.

'The return of our Ugaram Le Omasker ancestors is significant for our community as it will bring healing and peace to our people and ancestors,' he said.

The remaining 3 ancestors will be cared for by the Australian Government, until they can be returned to their Traditional Custodians and Country.

This repatriation brings the total number of ancestors returned home from overseas collecting institutions and private collectors to approximately 1,735.

Since 2013, the Australian Government has facilitated the repatriation of 162 First Nations ancestors from German collecting institutions and private holders through the Indigenous Repatriation Program. This is in part due to the commitment the Government of Germany has shown towards the repatriation of ancestors and artefacts.

There are ongoing discussions with other German institutions to secure agreement for the unconditional and voluntary return of ancestors from their collections.

Australia's National Cultural Policy Revive acknowledges the importance of respecting and promoting the rights of First Nations people to repatriate their ancestors and cultural heritage material.

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