Smoking ceremony held at University Museum
21 May 09
The University has returned three separate sets of human remains, held in the University Museum of Natural History, to Australia.
The University agreed to a request by the Australian Government (Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs) and the Ngarrindjeri Heritage Committee last year.
Museum director Jim Kennedy said: ‘It was a pleasure to host Ngarrindjeri elders Major Sumner and George Trevorrow, representatives of the Ngarrindjeri Heritage Committee, who visited the Oxford University Museum of Natural History to oversee the transfer of the remains of Ngarrindjeri Old People to their care. As part of the transfer process, there were private and public smoking ceremonies.’
These items, all acquired by Oxford during the 19th century, comprise three skulls and associated lower jaws. Their return was formally requested in the spring of 2008 as part of the Australian government’s policy for repatriation of aboriginal remains and agreed to by the University later in the year.
Major Sumner explained: 'Our belief is that when our people's remains are not with their people and in our country, then their spirit is wandering. There are a lot of unhealthy spirits in our community; all sorts of negative energies around our people. They are unhealthy in the physical sense because it is like something is missing … there is a different type of energy, an energy you can feel when you are doing the ceremonies. I have done them in my own country - you can imagine the spirits, they want to go home but they can't.'
Experts at Oxford reviewed the University’s records for documentary confirmation, and were confident the remains belonged to the Ngarrindjeri. The University also carried out an assessment of the uniqueness, scientific, and educational value of the remains, seeking the advice of external experts on these matters. On the basis of these assessments, and the other evidence, repatriation was agreed.
Tom Trevorrow chairperson of the Ngarrindjeri Heritage Committee said: 'Ngarrindjeri people acknowledge the recognition and respect which has been given by Oxford University in their decision to repatriate our Ngarrindjeri old people back home to their traditional lands. The Ngarrindjeri people are hoping that other Institutions will equally accept the responsibility and follow this example of the Oxford University in returning old people's Remains to their lands of origin.'