Repatriation of Indigenous materials in Arnhem Land

In 2008, as a response to a visit by a delegation of Arnhem Land elders to the NFSA, the Indigenous Connections team visited Yirrkala in northeast Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, to repatriate audiovisual materials to the Buku-Larnnggay Mulka Multimedia Archive and Production Centre.

Cultural director Wukun Wanambi welcomed the team to their land and conducted a tour of the places depicted in the films that were repatriated, providing unique context to the visit and a new appreciation for the collection.

The NFSA recognises it is important for Indigenous peoples to be empowered to deposit, access, exhibit, research and repatriate audiovisual materials. We work closely with Indigenous communities to enable these partnerships to grow.