Indigenous Elders Being Neglected About The Treatment Of Indigenous Artefacts

Dear Australian government,

I am writing to you to convey the significance of Indigenous elders being consulted about the treatment of Indigenous artefacts. These include tools, weapons, human remains and more; for a long time, they have been stolen and mistreated or misused. Indigenous artefacts play an essential role in the culture of Aboriginal peoples. Additionally, Aboriginal elders possess knowledge of how to preserve and maintain these artefacts, tasks that museums struggle with. The display of Aboriginal artefacts may also be helpful in preserving Aboriginal culture when elders are consulted in their treatment.

Indigenous elders should be consulted about the treatment of Indigenous artefacts because the artefacts are prominent in Aboriginal culture, and should not be taken from them without consultation. When these are stolen or placed in museums without the consent of Indigenous elders, it harms their culture.

Aboriginal artefacts are objects such as human remains or cultural items. These must be preserved and displayed appropriately, and knowledge of their intended use is required. The consultation of Indigenous elders would allow for correct treatment of artefacts. In an article by Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) News published in November 2019, Aboriginal Elder Braydon Kanjira stated after the repatriation of many sacred Indigenous artefacts to his community, “We already know about the songs of the artefacts, they're going to be restored for our future generations”. This demonstrates how Indigenous elders’ knowledge helps them use artefacts for their intended purposes and allows them to be displayed appropriately. It is clear that knowledge possessed by Aboriginal elders of Indigenous artefacts shows they must be consulted before they are displayed in