On Wednesday 4 October 2023, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and the Pitt Rivers Museum held an Indigenous-led ceremony honouring the return of 11 Ancestors to Australia, guided by cultural protocols. Oxford repatriated six Ancestors - three welcomed directly by their Communities and three entrusted to the Australian Government’s stewardship until their Traditional Custodians are identified -while the Pitt Rivers repatriated five, with two received by their Communities and three cared for by the Government to support return to Country. Representatives of the Bathurst/Wiradjuri, Far West Coast, Metropolitan/Gadigal, Ngarrindjeri and Wadawurrung Peoples accompanied their Ancestors home, alongside Australia’s High Commissioner Stephen Smith and museum directors Professors Paul Smith and Laura Van Broekhoven. Ministers Tony Burke and Linda Burney affirmed the repatriation as essential to dignity, healing, justice and truth-telling, and the museums expressed gratitude for First Nations leadership throughout.

Coe Gallery was deeply honoured to be invitied to the surrounding events and reconnect with family who were part of the travelling delegation.

Delegation:

Mark Koolmatrie, Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation, South Australia

Uncle Jimmy (James) Smith, Metropolitan Local Aborigianl Land Council, NSW

Brett Miller, Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation, Ceduna South Australia

Wayne Miller, Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation, Ceduna South Australia

Eyriclia (Eva) Theodosiou, Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation, Ceduna South Australia

Sean Fagan, Wadawurrung Aboriginal Corporation, Ballarat Victoria

Tammy Gilson, Wadawurrung Aboriginal Corporation, Ballarat Victoria

Tina Scott, Bathurst Local Aboriginal Land Council, Bathurst, NSW

Nathan Moran, Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, NSW

Allan Murray, Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, NSW

Lindsay Munro, Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, NSW

Terrance Murphy, Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, NSW