In a historic handover event at the Fowler Museum in California, USA, a collection of 11 objects of deep cultural significance were unconditionally returned to the Larrakia Community of the Northern Territory in Australia.
Larrakia people are known as Saltwater People, their Country includes the modern-day city of Darwin in the Northern Territory. Since 2021, Larrakia Elders have worked closely with AIATSIS and the Fowler Museum to identify and facilitate the return of these culturally significant items, which include 10 glass spearheads and a kangaroo tooth headband once worn by a revered Larrakia Elder.
These traditional Larrakia tools and woven fibre artifacts in today’s return ceremony are ceremonial items of deep spiritual and cultural importance and their return marks a significant step toward restoring cultural heritage to its rightful custodians. These items, collected in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, were donated to the museum and have remained outside of their community for generations.
This marks the second time the Fowler Museum, in partnership with AIATSIS, has completed a cultural heritage return. In July 2024, the Fowler Museum facilitated the repatriation of Warumungu cultural materials.
AIATSIS is Australia’s only national cultural institution solely dedicated to the diverse history, cultures, and heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia. AIATSIS’ Return of Cultural Heritage Program facilitates the safe return of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage material held in overseas collections.
Main Image: Four of the ten glass spearheads being returned by the Fowler Museum.COURTESY OF THE FOWLER MUSEUM, UCLA