During the colonial era, thousands of human remains of indigenous peoples were plundered from their graves worldwide. Remains of Australian Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders also found their way into German museums and universities, where they were misused for racist research.
Today, an important shift in thinking is taking place: repatriation. For indigenous communities, this process carries profound spiritual significance. According to their beliefs, the souls of the ancestors can only find peace once their remains are laid to rest in their homeland’s soil.
In recent years, numerous German museums — supported by the Australian government — have handed over remains to indigenous delegations. These returns represent a crucial step in confronting historical injustice and restoring dignity to the ancestors.
CS4art is frequently called upon when it comes to these special cases. Over the years, Kai Nissen has built up extensive expertise and an extensive network. Acting on behalf of the Australian government, he is typically present from the initial inspection onward, discussing the best possible packaging solutions. Above all, however, he leads the communication process between the Australian coordinating bodies, the respective German collection, and the authorities responsible for export approval.
He is happy to answer any questions on the organizational aspects of this work, while remaining entirely neutral regarding the content of individual projects.
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