- Ancestral remains will be returned from Victoria to the Weipa Peninsula people as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to honouring First Nations’ cultures.
- The announcement coincides with the recognition of the native title rights for seven Cape York communities.
- The latest tranche of determinations covers nearly 8 million hectares of the Cape.
Ancestral remains will be returned to the Weipa Peninsula people from Victoria as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to honouring First Nations’ cultures.
The remains were collected by an anthropologist in the 1930s and are currently being held by the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council.
The remains are being returned at the request of the Weipa Peninsula people.
The Weipa Peninsula people’s native title determination is one of four being held at two special hearings of the Federal Court in Cairns this week, with the Taepithiggi, Umpila, and Central West Wik people all having their native title rights and interests recognised.
The Palaszczuk Government has committed more than $4 million over the next five years to the repatriation of ancestral remains and sacred objects belonging to Queensland’s First Nations peoples and countries.
The funding coincides with a marked increase in the number of remains and significant cultural heritage items being surrendered and returned from international and interstate entities.
The Palaszczuk Government is committed to acknowledging First Nations peoples as the traditional owners of the land. Recognising native title demonstrates the respect and appreciation our unique First Nations’ cultures deserve and is a fundamental step on Queensland’s path to reconciliation and Treaty.
This week’s determination is part of a larger claim that is being determined in stages. The most recent determinations cover 7,942,100 hectares of land with more than 7,328,800 hectares having already been determined under the claim.
Quotes attributable to Dr. Fiona Wirrer-George Oochunyung, Weipa Peninsula People Native Title Group:
“This Native Title determination is of extremely great significance”, she said.
“It grants us a say around the table to be advised and consulted of activities that affect us and impacts on our lands.
“We become part of the process moving forward with opportunity to engage in relevant discussion and contribute to process unfolding and ongoing.”
Quotes attributable to Douglas Ahlers, Central West Wik Native Title Group:
“To me, recognition of native title means a step in the right direction of full and equal rights between the black man and the white man,” Douglas said.
“Every day, as a 5 or 6-year-old boy, I used to watch my parents go to the police station to get a piece of paper just to be able to go to the store to buy food or clothes.
“My people were under the Aboriginals Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act 1897.
“Some of them lived to see the abolishment of the Act and the freedom of their rights.
“The recognition of native title is a further confirmation of that freedom.”
Quotes attributable to Joseph ‘J-Boy’ Hobson, Umpila Native Title Group:
“It will give me great pleasure to take my family back to Umpila (pronounced Oompula) Country, to show them why I did the Native Title process,” he said.
“I want to bring my kids to my Country and have them share it with their children.
“I want them to know where they are from and where their Country is.
“Future generations need to see that Country, so this is for every family in Umpila.
“Our totem, land and stories are important to us. Animals have stories, the rivers, oceans, and islands are important. To keep in good condition for future generations.”
Quotes attributable to Resources Minister Scott Stewart:
“The return of these remains means the Weipa Peninsula people can finally fulfil their cultural and spiritual obligations to care for and bury their dead,” he said.
“The Palaszczuk Government will work with them, the Queensland Museum Network and our counterparts in Victoria to enable this to happen as soon as possible.
“It makes it even more special that these determinations and the repatriation announcement are happening during NAIDOC week – a week in which we celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“I hope it provides a small amount of peace, knowing that their loved ones are coming home.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Treaty, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Minister for Communities and Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch:
“I welcome the return of ancestral remains to the Weipa Peninsula people from Victoria.
“Repatriation is fundamental to progressing our Path to Treaty and our journey to reconciliation, justice and healing. This new relationship will move forward with mutual respect, recognition and a willingness to speak the truth about our shared history.
“That’s why in this year’s budget, the Palaszczuk Government has committed $4.6 million over five years to support the safe and respectful repatriation of ancestral remains and sacred objects belonging to Queensland’s First Nations peoples and countries through Queensland Museum Network.
