Indigenous artefacts returned home to Kaurna land from German museum after 180 years

After nearly two centuries, Indigenous artefacts gifted to German missionaries have finally been returned to Kaurna land.

Transcript

00:00 A traditional welcome for Germany's Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs.

00:07 Making the journey to return four indigenous artefacts to Kaurna elders.

00:13 "The sharing of our history is sometimes painful, but it's needed for building the future together."

00:20 The items include a fighting stick, wooden spear, two-edged sword club and fishing net.

00:29 The gifts were collected around 1840 by the Lutheran Mission Society and sent to the German

00:35 city of Dresden. Elders say they were sent as gifts to missionaries who helped their

00:40 people.

00:40 "They actually looked after us and they protected us from those aspects of colonisation here

00:46 at this very place."

00:47 "The Germans who took these items also acted in many ways with respect. They were very

00:54 kind, they were very kind. They were very kind. They were very kind."

01:01 The Kaurna artefacts were transferred to the Grassy Museum in Leipzig, but the Foreign

01:12 Affairs Minister believes it was time to return historic items to Kaurna land.

01:17 "To be open, reflective about our own past and to be willing to accept the fact that

01:24 we are not willing to listen to those who suffered the loss of their cultural heritage

01:31 during European colonisation."

01:33 The artefacts will soon be available to view at South Australia's Art Gallery.

01:37 .