International Repatriation Program
The International Repatriation Program facilitates the return of Indigenous human remains held in overseas collections to their communities of origin.
Typical activities that may be funded by this program include:
- research to establish the origins (provenance) of human remains;
- research to establish inventories of overseas collections of Indigenous human remains;
- consultations with traditional custodians on their wishes in relation to repatriation;
- the return of human remains to communities of origin;
- care and management of remains that cannot be returned to their communities of origin; and
- assistance for community following the return of their ancestral remains eg site preparation, ceremonies, reburials etc
Over 1000 remains have been returned to Australia since 2000. It is understood that there are currently around 900 Indigenous Australian remains held in overseas collections, most being held in the United Kingdom (UK), Germany, France and the United States of America. FaHCSIA has established relationships with these countries and is developing relationships with a number of other European countries in order to progress the repatriation of Indigenous remains.
FaHCSIA continues to progress the key intentions contained in the Prime Ministerial Joint Statement on Aboriginal Remains, released by the Prime Ministers of Australia and the United Kingdom (UK) in July 2000. This statement committed both governments to facilitating the return of Indigenous human remains from public collecting institutions in the UK.
The International Repatriation Advisory Committee, developed a discussion paper to seek the views of local communities and others interested in international repatriation. The discussion paper will help inform the Australian Governments future policy on the return of Indigenous remains.
Note: This program is not involved in the return of Indigenous cultural material from institutions within Australia. The Return of Indigenous Cultural Property Program (an initiative of the Cultural Ministers' Council) funds domestic repatriations through the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.