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‘The Big Picture’: the repatriation of Australian Indigenous sacred objects

The Curator in a social history museum occupies a unique space. They are located as translators and mediators between the academy, the professions, governments, stakeholders, and the public. As a result, they often have a broader experience in, and understanding of, certain issues. This allows curators an engagement with the ‘Big Picture’, not always available to other interest groups. This paper looks at the National Museum of Australia's experiences in the repatriation of secret/sacred objects. Using Australian Aboriginal examples, it will describe Australian government and museums policy and practice in regard to the repatriation of such objects; define the concept of secret/sacred objects and the position of such objects in traditional and contemporary aboriginal cultures; discuss some of the issues and risks associated with repatriation of such objects; and looks at some of the outcomes of repatriation exercises.