Fourteen First Nations ancestors have been returned to Australia from four Californian collecting institutions.
The repatriation sees five ancestors returned from Berkeley's Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology, four from the Oakland Museum of California, three from the University of California's Fowler Museum and two from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
Ngarrindjeri community representative, Uncle Major (Moogy) Sumner travelled from South Australia to receive one of the 14 ancestors, a Ngarrindjeri Old Person, accompanying the Old Person home.
He said the Ngarrindjeri ancestor will be returned to their home.
"Bringing the ancestors home is healing for the whole community and land," he said.
"The repatriation of ancestors is an important part of reconciliation."
One ancestor was returned under stewardship of the Government at the request of the Wamba Wemba community in Victoria.
The remaining 12 ancestors were also returned under government stewardship, set to be cared for closer to home until they are returned to their Traditional Custodians and Country.
Victorian Senator Jana Stewart said she is proud to be part of a Federal Government committed to working with Traditional Owners to bring ancestors home.
"As a Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba woman, I know the healing that happens when you have your people back home on country," Senator Stewart said.
"I look forward to seeing the outcome of further negotiations regarding the repatriation of ancestors."
The return was marked by a ceremony California, attended by Australia's Consul-General in Los Angeles, Tanya Bennett and Australia's Ambassador for First Nations People, Justin Mohamed.
Including the repatriation, the government says approximately 1,730 First Nations ancestors will have been returned, including 160 ancestors from the United States
Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, commended all involved for their work towards the successful repatriation outcome.
"The return of ancestors to their Country is a step toward righting some of the past injustices carried out against First Nations people," Ms McCarthy said.
Australia's National Cultural Policy acknowledges the importance of respecting and promoting the rights of First Nations people to repatriate their ancestors back to their homelands.
Federal Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the government will continue to advocate for future returns of First Nations ancestors currently held in institutions around the world.
"We recognise that the return of ancestors is a basic human right of First Nations people and we will continue to advocate for their return across the globe," Mr Burke said.
"Our government is committed to further negotiations and the facilitation of international repatriations to continue on the road to healing and reconciliation."
The Australian Government has supported the return of First Nations ancestors from overseas collecting institutions and private holders to Australia and their Traditional Custodians where known for more than 30 years.
The Government says it is continuing discussions with a number of United States collecting institutions and universities to secure further voluntary and unconditional ancestor returns.
