PUBLIC EVENT: Objects Coming Home - Repatriation to Karajarri Country

Background

This November, a collection of culturally significant objects is being returned from the University of Aberdeen to the Karajarri people of Western Australia. The Karajarri People (pronounced Ga-ra-ja-ri) are the Traditional Owners of lands stretching from the southwest Kimberley coast into the Great Sandy Desert.

The collection includes Karrpina (shields), Kaparah (bowls), Dalyi (clubs), Kana (digging sticks), and men's sacred ceremonial objects. The items were collected by Dr Ralph Piddington who undertook research in western Australia in 1930-31 while studying anthropology at the University of Sydney. After Dr Piddington was appointed Lecturer in Anthropology and Keeper of the University of Aberdeen’s museum in 1939, he arranged for some of the material he had collected to be donated to the University.

In recent years, the Australian Government's Return of Cultural Heritage (RoCH) program, led by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) has been working with Aboriginal communities to revitalise traditional culture. Working closely with the University of Aberdeen, an archival investigation revealed that that the collection transferred to the University by Piddington included material belonging to the Karajarri people.

Following three years of consultation and collaborative research with Karajarri Elders and community members, the University of Aberdeen has supported a proposal to return both cultural and sacred items.

About the public event

Join a conversation with Karajarri traditional owners, representatives of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), and University Collections, following the return of culturally significant objects to the Karajarri people of Western Australia. We will discuss the process of repatriation, the cultural importance and meanings of the items, and the Karajarri custodians’ aspirations for the material once returned to the community.

Panel

• Gordon Marshall, Karajarri Traditional Owner, Elder, and Senior Custodian.
• Patrick Kittimbolt, Karajarri Traditional Owner and Senior Custodian.
• Neil Curtis, Head of University Collections, University of Aberdeen.
• Mr Jay Kickett, RoCH Program, Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.
• Mr Iain Johnston, RoCH Program, Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.

Booking

This event will take place in the King's Lecture Theatre 1 (KL1). All welcome.

This is an in-person only event and will not be recorded.

There will be an opportunity for Q&A with the panel. Audience participation is not obligatory - you are also welcome just to come and listen to the discussion.

The event is free but seats must be booked in advance.