A ceremony has marked the return of ancestral remains to four Aboriginal communities in Queensland, with additional ancestors to be held under government care until their Traditional Custodians are identified.
One ancestor was returned to the Woppaburra community, one to the Warrgamay community, two to the Wuthathi community, and two to the Yadhighana community.
Another 30 ancestors with provenance to Queensland were returned under the stewardship of the Australian Government.
They will remain in care closer to home until Traditional Custodians are determined.
The repatriation is part of a national effort to return First Nations ancestors from collecting institutions and private holders overseas.
Woppaburra man Wayne Blair said the process holds cultural and spiritual significance.
"It is our cultural duty and responsibility to bring our ancestors home, to be reburied on Country, finally laid to rest, with dignity and finally at peace," he said.
"Repatriation of our ancestors, is an eternal flame, the eternal healing is both spiritual and physical, for our Elders and Community.
"Domestic and Overseas, you are not returning science specimens, you are returning ancestors to their families, their descendants, whose eternal pain of loss brings healing."
The Australian Government has supported these returns for more than 30 years.
To date, more than 1,775 ancestors have been repatriated globally, including more than 1,300 from the United Kingdom.
This includes over 200 from the Natural History Museum in London.
Warrgamay representative Thomas Holden said the removal of ancestors caused lasting harm.
"The removal of our ancestors from their resting places was an act of deep disrespect—one that severed our spiritual and cultural connections to Country," he said.
"For generations, our people have carried the pain of knowing that our ancestors were taken from us, their remains held in institutions and collections far from home.
"For our community, repatriation is about more than just bringing our ancestors home."
Discussions are ongoing with other institutions and private holders in the United Kingdom to continue voluntary and unconditional returns.
Wuthathi representative Keron Murray said the return was an essential step in community healing.
"The repatriation of our ancestors is a vital step in healing the wounds of the past and restoring the spiritual and cultural balance that was disrupted when they were taken from their homeland," he said.
"For the Wuthathi people, bringing our ancestors home is not just about physical return – it is about respect dignity, and reaffirming our deep connection to Country.
"It allows us to fulfil our cultural obligations, honour our Old People, and ensure their spirits can finally rest where they belong."
Natural History Museum Director, Dr Doug Gurr, said it was an honour to host the ceremony.
"It was a privilege for the Natural History Museum to host Traditional Custodians from the Warrgamay, Woppaburra and Wuthathi communities, alongside colleagues from Queensland Museum and the Australian government and High Commission," Dr Gurr said.
"The special ceremony was a deeply poignant moment, following close collaboration with the Australian government to reunite the communities with their ancestors."
