Central Land Council

SACRED OBJECTS MUST BE RETURNED

As Land Rights News goes to press the fate of sacred objects held by the South Australian Government hangs in the balance. The objects are part of the collection amassed over a lifetime's work and travel in Central Australia by the late Professor Ted Strehlow. The have been held by the South Australian Government since they were surrendered by Professor Strehlow's son Carl on 28 April. The future of the objects is now in jeopardy following the failure of both the South Australian and Federal Governments to act to return them to the traditional custodians. The major part of the Strehlow collection was acquired by the Northern Territory Government in 1989 and is currently held at the controversial Strehlow Research Centre in Alice Springs.

The existence of an additional collection of 265 objects only came to light earlier this year when Carl Strehlow sought permission from the South Australian government to sell the items for $6.5 million.

Following representations from the Central Land Council, the South Australian Minister for Planning and Environment, Susan Lenehan, withdrew her permission for the sale and ordered the surrender of the material. A consultant anthropologist was retained by the Central Land Council to consult with the traditional custodians of the surrendered items. His report confirmed that the majority of the traditional custodians want the items returned to them. But despite the wishes of the custodians, the South Australian Government backed down on its promise to acquire the collection and announced it would return the objects to the Strehlows. CLC Director Kumanjayi Ross attacked the decision as "utterly spineless."

He said it came as a bitter disappointment to traditional custodians who trusted the South Australian Government to return their objects. "As usual, politicians' promises don't mean much," he said.

Minister Susan Lenehan told the South Australian Parliament on April 28 that the Government planned to acquire the material: "I believe it is most important to ensure that everything possible is done to return sacred and significant items of Aboriginal heritage to their rightful owners, the Aboriginal people," she said. Mr Ross said he was also angry that the Federal Government has failed to intervene. On behalf of the traditional custodians, the CLC requested the Minister for Aboriginal and Islander Affairs, Robert Tickner, to make a declaration to protect the objects.

The request, which was supported by the South Australian Government, was ignored. The future of the sacred objects remains uncertain. Although Carl Strehlow has agreed to leave the material with the SA Government for the time being, he still wishes to sell. The Central Land Council is now negotiating to purchase the collection on behalf of the traditional owners, but believes acquisition and return of the items is rightly the responsibility of the State or Federal Government. Meanwhile, the Government's decision not to acquire the additional collection also placed in jeopardy material seized from Mrs Kath Strehlow in May.

This is due to be returned by the end of August - and Mrs Strehlow has vowed she will never sell. Mr Ross called on the Federal and South Australian Governments to act with more conviction and courage towards the material seized from Mrs Kath Strehlow's than was shown over her son's collection. "Mr Tickner and Ms Lenehan both purport to represent Aboriginal people in these matters. I hope both ministers will show some backbone and fulfil their responsibilities to Aboriginal people."