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 and the preparation of relevant documentation
- 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
- 'extension services'-reburials, caskets, memorial plaques, ceremonies, etc.
- assisting communities in gaining access to land for reburial
- short-term care and management of human 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.
During 2007 there were a number of successful returns from the UK.
FaHCSIA has established relationships in a number of European countries and in the USA to progress the return of remains from institutions in these countries.
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.