Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Material

Additional information on
Previous Possessions, New Obligations — a national policy

The following principles and detailed policy statements about preservation are taken directly from Previous Possessions, New Obligations: Policies for Museums in Australia and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Management and collections

2. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander involvement in management of collections and information, and their use in the public programs and communication of museums, including exhibitions, education and publications, is essential.

Assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

8. Museums must assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community groups in the care and preservation of objects. Conservation practice must adapt to cultural requirements, most particularly in respect of secret/sacred items.

1.5 All requests for the return of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander remains will be promptly and sensitively dealt with by the Museum.

Storage, access and display

1.7 Human remains, if retained by the museum, will be properly stored in an area separate from other parts of the collections and treated with respect at all times.

2.5 Secret/sacred material shall be kept in a manner consistent with its sensitive nature and separately from other collections.

2.6 Traditional custodians will be consulted on the method of storage and preservation of secret/sacred material.

Display

2.8 Secret/sacred material shall not be displayed to the public except with the specific permission of the traditional custodians or their descendants.

Return

2.10 Secret/sacred material will be considered for return to the traditional custodians when requested by them in accordance with procedures which involve establishing that those requesting return are the rightful custodians according to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander custom and have regard to the highly sensitive nature of the material.

3.1 Acquisition, conservation, disposal and access to collections, including use in public programs, will take into account, or incorporate as appropriate, the views of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of whose cultural traditions the items form part.

3.3 Museums will lend cultural material from their collections to museums and other appropriate venues, especially local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander keeping places, subject to appropriate conditions concerning conservation and security of the items.

5.1 Museums will actively promote the employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in activities concerning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and heritage including collections management, research and conservation, public programs and administration.