Abstract

In the context of Australian cultural heritage management, conservation can contribute to the decolonisation of the sector by prioritising truth telling, repatriation and reconciliation when working with First Nations cultural heritage. Reflecting on a recent instance in which the heritage site Juukan Gorge was destroyed, we emphasise that the destruction of cultural heritage can create opportunities for change. Recognising the impact of dissociation as an agent of deterioration, we highlight community-led initiatives conserving First Nations cultural heritage within a variety of institutions and environments. The case studies examined reveal the value of a holistic approach to the conservation of cultural materials and how conservation can be a conduit for reconciling the relationships between Western and First Nations cultural heritage values and practices.

摘要

在澳大利亚文化遗产管理的背景下，保护可以通过在与原住民文化遗产合作时优先考虑说真话、遣返和和解来促进该部门的非殖民化。回顾最近发生的遗产遗址 Juukan Gorge 被毁的事例，我们强调文化遗产的破坏可以创造变革的机会。认识到解离的影响是恶化的推动因素，我们强调了社区主导的在各种机构和环境中保护原住民文化遗产的举措。