British museum returns cultural artefacts
In a significant act of international cooperation and cultural recognition, the UK’s Bristol Museum and Art Gallery has formally returned 33 culturally significant objects to the Larrakia People of Darwin.
The objects – spears, spear throwers and a club – were collected in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and have been held in the museum’s collection for decades. Their return is part of the Australian Government’s Return of Cultural Heritage (RoCH) program, led by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS).
“Bringing our Ancestors spears home is about passing culture on to our young ones, keeping our role as custodians strong, and building a bridge of respect between our communities and the institutions that have held these objects,” Larrakia Cultural Centre Advisory Group member Mikayla Lee said.
“When they come home, it opens the door for truth-telling, healing, and walking together in reconciliation. These spears belong on Country, where the energy and spirit our Ancestors put into them still lives, and where they’ve always belonged.”
The objects will be temporarily housed at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory until the opening of the Larrakia Cultural Centre in 2026 – a landmark cultural facility which is currently being built adjacent to the sacred site of Stokes Hill, Darwin Harbour. This is a project of the Larrakia Development Corporation.
Mark Motlop, Chairperson of the Larrakia Development Corporation and Larrakia man said the event was an extremely important milestone for the revitalisation and maintenance of Larrakia culture, now and for future generations.
“We accept these culturally significant artefacts from the Bristol Museum back to the rightful custodianship of Larrakia people,” he said.
Emotional journey
It has been a long and emotional journey for Larrakia people in the repatriation of these items to Larrakia Country – one that will facilitate healing and the intergenerational transfer of knowledge.
Once returned to their rightful place on Larrakia Country, in Darwin, these items will be displayed at the Larrakia Cultural Centre, opening in 2026 ensuring their stories are honoured and shared with the world for many years to come.”
During the ceremony, Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, recognised the importance of this return for the city of Bristol and for Bristol Museums.
“We are proud to support the respectful return of these items of cultural heritage to the Larrakia People,” Councillor Dyer said.
“We are grateful to have been able to work closely with everyone involved in this formal repatriation, this international collaboration has allowed us to take a powerful and significant step forward towards shared understanding and partnership.”
Leonard Hill, CEO of AIATSIS, described the return as a powerful example of how collaboration between communities and institutions can restore cultural authority and support intergenerational knowledge.
On display in the Territory
These items belong with their people, on their Country, where they can once again contribute to cultural life and intergenerational knowledge,” he said.
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians, said she looked forward to seeing the items being displayed at the new Cultural Centre.
“The Government is proud to invest in the AIATSIS-led Return of Cultural Heritage program, which facilitates the safe return of cultural heritage material held in overseas collections,” she said.
The event comes after the recent return of cultural objects to Larrakia from the Fowler Museum in Los Angeles in 20 May.
