Motion or amendment: Decolonisation of Museum Collections and Repatriation of Artefacts

Motion or amendment by Mr Colm Gildernew on 6 May 2025.

MLA: Mr Colm Gildernew
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 6 May 2025
Type: Motion or amendment
Business: Motion · Private Members' Motion
Heading: Decolonisation of Museum Collections and Repatriation of Artefacts
Assembly identifier: Document 438361

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Text

Decolonisation of Museum Collections and Repatriation of Artefacts
That this Assembly notes National Museums NI’s (NMNI) commitment in its Ethics Policy to proactively seek to democratise and decolonise its collections, through ethical collections development, research, partnerships and engagement; further notes the Inclusive Global Histories exhibition launched by Ulster Museum in 2022 which aims to demonstrate NMNI's commitment to decolonisation, diversity and inclusion; commends the continued repatriation efforts of NMNI regarding the return of human remains and other sacred objects to the people of Hawaii; acknowledges the immense cultural, social, and historical significance that the return of artefacts represent to societies and indigenous communities impacted by colonialism around the world, including on this island; encourages museums to further develop and expand decolonisation policies, such as cooperating with requests for the repatriation of art and artefacts; and calls on the Minister for Communities to support museums here in their efforts to decolonise their collections.

152 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.