First Nations ancestors welcomed home from Japan in a world first
A handover ceremony for 10 First Nations ancestors was held at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo on Wednesday 11 June.
Photo: The repatriation delegation with Japanese institution representatives and the Australian Ambassador. Photo courtesy of the Australian Embassy, Tokyo.
Ten ancestors have arrived home from Japan through the Australian Government’s Indigenous Repatriation Program. A special handover ceremony was held at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo on 11 June to mark the first time Indigenous ancestral remains have been repatriated from Japan.
Seven ancestors were returned from the University of Tokyo, which included one Kaurna Old Person who was returned to the South Australian Kaurna Nation Traditional Custodians.
The University of Kyoto returned 2 ancestors to their respective community representatives from Western Australia. This included representatives from the Bardi and Jawi community and Yawuru community from the Kimberley region.
The National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo, also returned one ancestor with provenance to Australia, so they could be cared for closer to home.
For Bardi and Jawi community representative, Bolo Angus, the return of ancestors brings a sense of healing.
“Repatriation is a vital step toward healing the deep wounds caused by the forced removal of our ancestors from their resting places. For our community, it is not just about bringing bones home, it is about restoring dignity, honouring our old people, and reconnecting spirit to Country. This healing is not only for us, the living, but for the spirit of the ancestors who have waited so long to come home.”
Mitzi Nam, a Kaurna representative, reflected on the importance and close collaboration required to organise a repatriation.
“The Kaurna People want to bring the Old People home to where their spirits lie. The Traditional Custodians have been tirelessly working to return the Kaurna Old People to Country, so they can rest, and while past wrongs cannot be forgotten, pathways to healing can start for all generations.”
The Australian Government has been supporting the return of ancestors from collecting institutions and private holders for over 30 years and with this repatriation, over 1,785 First Nations ancestors have been repatriated from across the world.