In a significant act of international cooperation and cultural recognition, the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery yesterday formally returned 33 culturally significant objects to the Larrakia People of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
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).
The ceremony, held at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery on 1 September, included speeches from Larrakia representatives, Bristol City Council and Australian Government representatives.
The event was attended by community leaders and international guests. Among them were Larrakia representatives - Nigel Browne and Mikayla Lee, Australia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom - The Hon Stephen Smith, The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Bristol - Councillor Henry Michallat, and Leader of the Bristol City Council - Councillor Tony Dyer.
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.
Image - ©Bristol Design, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Mark Motlop, Chairperson of the Larrakia Development Corporation and Larrakia man explains, “Today is an extremely important milestone for the revitalisation and maintenance of Larrakia culture, now and for future generations, as we accept these culturally significant artefacts from the Bristol Museum back to the rightful custodianship of Larrakia people.
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, Australia, 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. Councillor Tony Dyer, said: “We are proud to support the respectful return of these items of cultural heritage to the Larrakia People. 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. He noted, “These items belong with their people, on their Country, where they can once again contribute to cultural life and intergenerational knowledge.”
This event follows on from the recent return of cultural objects to Larrakia from the Fowler Museum in Los Angeles, USA on 20 May 2025. It will further enrich the experience of the Larrakia Cultural Centre, which will serve as a hub for cultural tourism, language revitalisation and education, offering people a chance to engage with Larrakia knowledge and traditions through the lens of its Traditional Owners.
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