
36 Queensland Aboriginal ancestors returned from the Natural History Museum, London
April 2025—United Kingdom

On 10 April 2025, the Natural History Museum in London hosted a repatriation ceremony to acknowledge the return of 36 Aboriginal ancestors to their respective Traditional Custodians and representatives from the Australian Government. Representatives from three Queensland communities, Woppaburra, Warragamay and Wuthathi travelled to London to receive their respective ancestors and accompany them home, while the Yadhaigana community met their ancestors on arrival to Brisbane.
Wayne Blair, Woppaburra representative, travelled to the UK and reflected on the importance of returning ancestors to Country "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 Wuthathi community nominated two community representatives to receive two ancestors, Keron Murray commented that "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… this process strengthens our community, reinforces our identity, and helps heal the intergenerational trauma caused by their removal."
While Thomas Holden, representing the Warragamay community reflected on repatriation process as enabling community to continue to practice their customs and transfer intergenerational knowledge. He noted "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."
The Australian Government is committed to continuing discussions with other institutions in the United Kingdom to facilitate future returns.
Media Release-36 First Nations Ancestors welcomed home from the United Kingdom