Debate contribution: Decolonisation of Museum Collections and Repatriation of Artefacts

Debate contribution by Mr Daniel McCrossan on 20 May 2025.

MLA

Mr Daniel McCrossan

Party at the time

Social Democratic and Labour Party

Date

20 May 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Decolonisation of Museum Collections and Repatriation of Artefacts

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4963914

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I support the motion. The SDLP will not be supporting the amendment, however. At its core, the motion asks us to reflect deeply on the role of museums in shaping how we understand the past and how we move forward into a more just and inclusive future. National Museums Northern Ireland and, indeed, the Ulster Museum have shown leadership by actively embracing decolonisation through exhibitions such as Inclusive Global Histories and through the ethical repatriation of human remains and sacred objects to the people of Hawaii. That is not just commendable but morally necessary and shows leadership from our local museums. Decolonisation is not about erasing history, nor is it about hiding artefacts or whitewashing our shared past. Quite the opposite: it is about telling the full story, which is one that includes the voices and experiences of peoples who for centuries were silenced, exploited and stripped of their cultural identities. When we return human remains or sacred objects to indigenous communities, we are not surrendering history but honouring it. We are saying, "We hear you, we acknowledge your pain and we can and will do better in future".

The amendment seeks to dilute that message, as it suggests that returning artefacts could be confused with ideological revisionism.

I tend to disagree. This is not about blame; it is about responsibility. The amendment also implies that the ethical return of artefacts risks undermining collective heritage, but whose heritage are we speaking of, because many communities around the world have had their cultural identity stolen, displayed and sometimes even distorted without their consent? On this island, with our own history of colonisation, appropriation and displacement, we, above all people, should understand why decolonisation matters. We know what it is like to be silenced and to have our history told by others. I understand that museums face financial pressures, but ethical repatriation is not a financial burden; it is an act of moral leadership and courage. In many cases, repatriation opens the door to new global partnerships, collaborative research and mutual learning. It builds trust and it builds bridges. We must not let short-term funding challenges be used as a reason for holding on to the legacies of colonialism. Education is key, and museums play a vital role in that, but education cannot come at the expense of justice. The real lesson for us all — for our children, our schools and our communities — is that we are willing to admit when wrongs have been done and to take meaningful action and steps to repair them. The original motion reflects a more forward-looking vision for museums as places not just of preservation but of reconciliation, where the past is not hidden but confronted ethically, honestly and inclusively. I urge colleagues to reject the amendment and to stand in support of the original motion in order to support our museums, our communities and our shared responsibility to decolonise our understanding of the past.

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

Assessment

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 12:32 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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