Apology for Aboriginal art and cultural thefts to Tasmanian Indigenous communities long time coming

Two of Tasmania's oldest institutions have apologised to the state's Aboriginal community for "nearly 200 years of practices were morally wrong". Key points: The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and the Royal Society of Tasmania say they are "unreservedly sorry" for practices they admit were "morally wrong" The institutions played pivotal roles in exhuming Aboriginal bodies and stealing artefacts in the name of science It's hoped the apology will be followed with attitudinal change and continued consultation with Aboriginal Tasmanians The apology by the Royal Society of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery was partly brought about because of the decades-long battle by traditional owners to get 14,000-year-old ancient rock art out of museum collections and back to it's sacred home at Preminghana in the state's far north-west. "The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery participated in practices including the digging up and removal, the collection and the trade of ancestral remains of Tasmanian Aboriginal people, or respectfully, the old people," chair of TMAG's board of trustees, Brett Torossi, said. "The Society understands this apology must influence all aspects of its undertakings in seeking the advancement of knowledge, and we intend to work cooperatively and respectfully with Tasmanian Aboriginal people on meaningful and lasting initiatives." Mr Lehman said he'd personally like to see an apology from the State Government "for it's part in the attempted removal, or extermination, of Tasmanian Aboriginal people".