The Australian Senate passes motion supporting the return the Gweagal Shield
The Australian Senate has passed a motion supporting the ... artefacts to their rightful owners the Gweagal people from museums in England.
Senate supports return of Gweagal shield
Media Release Rachel Siewert 11 Oct 2016 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issues
The Senate has supported a motion supporting the repatriation of important artefacts to rightful owners – the Gweagal people – from the British Museum.
“Centuries ago, in 1770, two members of the Gweagal people stood on the shore of Botany Bay and attempted to warn off a boat containing James Cook as it approached shore. What followed was one of the men, Cooman, running for cover and losing his shield after a bullet to the leg.
“Now the descendent of Cooman, Rodney Kelly, is seeking for the Gweagal shield to be returned to the rightful owner from the British Museum, where it was sent all those years ago.
“It is a positive step for Mr Kelly’s campaign that the Australian Senate has expressed its support for repatriation of these important artefacts, and has requested the Australian Government to extend diplomatic assistance to Mr Kelly.
“It is core to Aboriginal belief that artefacts must be kept on country they came from. This has been a sustained campaign by Mr Kelly, I hope the British Museum does the right thing”.
Senator Siewert, also on behalf of Senator Rhiannon, pursuant to notice of motion not objected to as a formal motion, moved general business notice of motion no. 61—That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) in 1770, two members of the Gweagal people stood on the shore of the place now called Botany Bay, as a boat containing James Cook and some of his crew approached the shore,
(ii) the Gweagal men were holding spears and a shield and they attempted to warn off the interlopers, an action that was responded to with gunfire,
(iii) one of the men, Cooman, was shot in the leg and he ran for cover, dropping his shield,
(iv) this shield and a number of spears and other artefacts from their camp were taken by James Cook and given to the British Museum when he returned there, and the shield and a number of the spears remain the Museum’s collection, and
(v) a significant number of the spears taken are now also held by the Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology;
(b) acknowledges that:
(i) it is a core part of Aboriginal belief that artefacts must be kept on the country they came from, as they form a part of the ongoing story of that place,
(ii) laws covering Aboriginal cultural heritage in New South Wales recognise the strong connection between Aboriginal people, their land and their artefacts, and
(iii) the Gweagal people and their descendants are the rightful and lawful owners of all artefacts produced on their territory, including the shield and spears held in the British Museum and the Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology;
(c) recognises the work done by Cooman’s descendant Mr Rodney Kelly to push for the repatriation of these important artefacts;
(d) supports the repatriation of these important artefacts to the Gweagal people; and
(e) requests the Australian Government extend diplomatic assistance to Mr Rodney Kelly while he is in the United Kingdom seeking the return of the artefacts.
Statement by leave : The Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister (Senator McGrath), by leave, made a statement relating to the motion.
Question put and passed.
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fjournals%2F4647ac9d-0c58-4cc5-9d53-47a0be3cf6d5%2F0021%22
Both the New South Wales and Federal Parliament have now unanimously passed the motion to support the return of all Artefacts to the land from where they came.
NSW Parliament Motion as passed, raised by MP David Shoebridge ;
http://davidshoebridge.org.au/2016/08/24/parliament-calls-for-the-repatriation-of-the-gweagal-shield/
LIBERAL/NATIONAL PARTY GOVERNMENT OPPOSITION TO FEDERAL MOTION
Greens motion was successful & passed on voices. The govt noted its opposition but didn't have numbers in chamber to block motion
Government defends British institutions' rights to Aboriginal items The Greens successfully pass a motion recognising the Gweagal people as the rightful owners of items taken by Captain Cook's landing party in 1770. But, not before argument from Liberal James McGrath - NITV Journalist Myles Morgan https://twitter.com/ImMylesMorgan/status/785720789089656832
