A landmark exhibition of indigenous objects in London is the beginning of a debate "among friends" about the possible repatriation of artefacts, the British Museum's director says.
Indigenous Australia: enduring civilisation opened at the British Museum a week ago and is already drawing large crowds.
But some Aborigines in Australia are demanding the museum return objects they insist were stolen during occupation.
There was a small protest outside the exhibition ahead of the opening but museum director Neil MacGregor on Thursday said he welcomed the debate.
"People have different views on what belongs where and that's precisely what this exhibition allows," Mr MacGregor told reporters after welcoming a number of indigenous visitors to the museum for a private ceremony.
"The debate can now take place as you would hope between friends on the basis of proper information."
Asked whether he thought indigenous objects would eventually be repatriated Mr MacGregor said: "I don't know. These are discussions that are obviously always going on."
The director said there were different views on where things from the past were best shown.
The British Museum's general position, he said, was there should be one place where the whole world could be viewed at once.
"And ... you can't think about the world and human activities without having the Aboriginal cultures there. They are a key part of that story."
Among those present at Thursday's ceremony was Yawuru man Peter Yu from the National Museum of Australia's indigenous reference group.
The exhibition is collaboration between the two museums and Mr Yu sees it as the first step on a long road towards possible repatriation.
Asked on Thursday if he'd like to see objects returned "long term" he quipped: "I'll probably be dead and gone by the time that happens."
"(But) let's give the dialogue and the discussion a chance and then see what the possibilities are," Mr Yu said.
"Everything is based on relationships and trust. If you don't have that this isn't going anywhere. There are no easy answers at this stage."
In the interim there are practical ways of dealing with the issue of disputed ownership including negotiations for loans, fellowships, return exhibitions and greater access protocols, the Yawuru man said.
"Repatriation is a very serious issue ... but that's not going to happen overnight if it happens at all. So why not get on with some practical things."
Earlier this year Aboriginal activist and historian Gary Foley cast doubt on the British Museum's willingness to engage in serious debate.
"Bet they won't be prepared to seriously discuss issues of repatriation of cultural materials obtained through nefarious means ... because of their retention of the so-called 'Elgin marbles'," he wrote.
The exhibition presents indigenous Australia as a living culture with a continuous history dating back 60,000 years.
The objects on display include a shield believed to have been collected at Botany Bay in 1770 by Captain Cook or one of his men.
The exhibition travels to Canberra in November when it's expected indigenous people will mount a legal challenge to try and stop some objects returning to the UK.
Share
