After more than 170 years abroad, the remains of a Tasmanian Aboriginal man have returned home following a significant repatriation effort.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains references to deceased persons and ancestral remains.
The skull of the young man from the Big River Tribe arrived at Hobart Airport on Thursday, carried by First Nations delegates who had travelled to Scotland to bring him home.
The remains had been held in a Scottish university collection since the mid-1800s, where they were used for research and teaching.
“The job ahead now is to return that young man back to where he belongs, back to his country and back to his people,” Andry Sculthorpe said at the airport welcome.
A traditional shell necklace, believed to have been made by a woman from a Bass Strait island in the 1880s, was also returned alongside the remains.
Community members gathered at the airport for the emotional homecoming, with delegate Jeanette James speaking about the impact of the journey.
“It makes it all worthwhile, particularly knowing that you’re doing this mission with community support and that they’re watching and waiting and welcoming you home,” she said.
Sculthorpe said institutions globally are increasingly recognising the importance of returning ancestral remains.
“Institutions that previously wouldn’t meet with us, wouldn’t talk to us and outright refused to discuss return are now saying let’s talk,” he said.
“It’s becoming more and more morally unacceptable to be withholding those remains from their communities of origin.”
“We hope to see some of those remains returned back to country soon.”
“Negotiations and discussions have been very open this trip and it’s been very heartwarming,” James added.
The young man will now be laid to rest on his traditional lands, with the Aboriginal community planning a ceremony and burial in the Central Highlands.
