The Network

The International Repatriation Network was formed in 2025 to bring together community members, practitioners, and academics engaged in all forms of repatriation activity around the world. Our focus is on building momentum and a community of practice to enable more Ancestors and belongings to return home. The Network is made up of members who are involved in different areas and levels of repatriation, who join in their institutional and/or personal capacities. We utilise our discussions and learnings from engaging in international repatriation to advocate and push practice.

This statement is the start of the conversation, and we invite anyone who aligns with our vision to join the Network. We also welcome feedback, as we see these conversations as channels for learning and improvement.

The Challenge

Conversations around international repatriation are rapidly developing and gaining attention. However, more action is needed to build momentum, strengthen international collaboration and ensure that Ancestors and belongings return home.

International repatriation responds not only to contemporary procedural challenges, but also to the long histories of colonial collecting, unequal power relations, extractive research, and the removal of Ancestors and belongings from their communities of origin. These histories continue to shape the present and place significant burdens on Indigenous communities, Nations, families, and communities of origin seeking return.

While many countries, institutions and professional bodies are developing national policies, guidelines, and laws, there remains a risk that repatriation processes continue to centre nation-states and holding institutions rather than the rights, responsibilities, aims, knowledge, experiences and needs of Indigenous communities, Nations, families, and communities of origin affected by removals and collecting.

Our Approach

Many nations, communities, institutions, researchers, practitioners and advocates are working across borders to address international repatriation, often in isolation and with limited resources. Much of this work relies on individuals and personal networks. The International Repatriation Network exists to bring researchers, practitioners, and advocates representing Nations, individuals, communities, and institutions together, so that knowledge, experience, practical and emotional support can be shared. By connecting people across the globe, the Network seeks to support collaborative approaches that build upon one another and help bring Ancestors and belongings home.

The Network does not replace the authority of Indigenous communities, Nations, families, or communities of origin. Through international dialogue and ethical guidance, it supports knowledge-sharing, advocacy, and practical collaboration in ways that strengthen Indigenous-led and community-led repatriation processes.

Our Vision

• International repatriation is prioritized and well-resourced by nation-states and other custodial institutions

• Repatriation processes centre the aims, needs, epistemologies, laws, cultural protocols, and responsibilities of Indigenous communities, Nations, families, and communities of origin

• Ancestors and repatriated belongings return home through processes that support the needs of the receiving party such as healing, mourning, ceremony, cultural continuity, intergenerational repair, and the restoration of Indigenous authority

• Custodial nations and institutions provide full transparency related to  information sharing – particularly regarding collections, policies, and decision-making

• Custodial nations and institutions do not place a burden of proof on Indigenous communities, Nations, families, and communities of origin

• Custodial nations and institutions assume financial responsibility for costs associated with the repatriation processes

• International repatriation becomes an expected, accountable, well-resourced, and rights-based practice across borders