A softwood shield has been returned to Kowanyama in Cape York after it was taken more than 60 years ago.
Three men from Brisbane who were on a hunting expedition in the area in 1959 took the shield from the riverbank of what was is now the old site of the Mitchell River Mission.
Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council Councillor Teddy Bernard says the repatriation of the shield came about after he was contacted by a Brisbane man who had been given the shield from one of the hunters.
He then passed the message on to the local cultural centre, who was able to get the shield back on Country within weeks.
"We appreciate that people that search Kowanyama up because they have all different types of stuff and are sending it back," Mr Bernard told NITV News.
it just gives us excitement and the people were excited to hear that the shield was coming back from the 1950's."
The shield will now be housed amongst other artefacts in the community's unique Kowanyama collection, a cultural and historical collection representing the local Kokoberra, Yir Yoront [or Kokomenjen] and Kunjen clans cultures.
Its assisting manager and curator, Viv Sinnamon, said it's a significant addition that will be used for cultural reference for future generations.
Kowanyama man Dennis Michael with shields in the old guest house gallery Source: Supplied: Kowanyama Collection
"So it's two things. There's the reclamation and repatriation of cultural objects, as well as references for traditional crafts, where cultural knowledge is able to be passed on to younger generations for the maintenance and continuation of cultural knowledge and practice," he said.
Mr Bernard says having a collection with their culture readily available to the Kowanyama community as well as visitors means a lot.
"It's a good experience for them. And it's a good experience for us to showcase our artefacts and our culture and our tradition," he said.
"It brings you excitement every time you find something new or find something old, living the memories of the people that made it. you feel more connected to these artifacts when you hold these things in your hands."
Softwood shields were used by men in the region for stick fighting. Source: Supplied: Kowanyama Collection
