- arkivdokument -, Australian Indigenous Human Remains and Sacred Objects

I am writing in relation to the reports which have appeared recently in the Swedish media concerning Australian Indigenous human remains which are held in the Museum of Ethnography in Stockholm. As you know, the reports have focused, in particular, on the skeletons which the Swedish zoologist Dr Eric Mjöberg brought back to Sweden from his expeditions to Australia in the early part of the last century.
The repatriation of human remains and artefacts (particularly sacred objects) is a very important matter for the Indigenous people of Australia and for the Australian Government. Within Australia, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services (ATSIS) has responsibility for the repatriation of human remains and cultural objects held in overseas institutions. ATSIS works with the close assistance and support of Australian diplomatic missions (I enclose a note on the role of ATSIS for your information).
The repatriation procedure followed by Australia is, rather than having particular Aboriginal 'groups' or 'groups of relatives' make the request, the Australian Government, through the Embassy, initiates the request (to the relevant government minister in the holding country and also, if required, contacts the relevant holding institution on behalf of ATSIS). Once consent has been granted for their return, ATSIS will coordinate or engage a community organisation to coordinate the repatriation process. Identification of the descendants is done by a community organisation or the National Museum of Australia.
We have noted your acknowledgment in the media reports that the Museum of Ethnography is holding Australian Indigenous human remains and we appreciate your comments to the effect that the Museum would be prepared to return the remains in response to a request to do so.
ATSIS is also aware that the Museum is holding a collection of artefacts some of which they consider to be “sacred objects”. ATSIS wishes to identify these objects.