Anindilyakwa and AIATSIS United Kingdom visit - PART I

28 August – 11 September 2023 
London and Manchester UK 

In August 2023, the time had come to travel to Manchester UK to oversee the first steps of returning the 174 collection items home. In recognition of the women’s relationship with Dadikwakwa-kwa, the official Anindilyakwa delegation became a women’s delegation comprised of Lead Art and Culture Officer and Elder, Danjibana Noeleen Lalara, Art and Culture Officer and Emerging Leader, Maicie Lalara, Radio Station Lead and Emerging Leader, Amethea Mamarika, accompanied by the Art Centre Coordinator. 

Flying Groote to Darwin, the delegation met with AIATSIS Return of Cultural Heritage (RoCH) staff before flying on to Perth ahead of the long flight to London. In Perth, Noeleen, Maicie and Amethea met with local female Noongar elders on the shores of the Derbal Yerrigan to be smoked before leaving Australian shores.  

Arriving in London, the delegation had a couple of days to prepare for the upcoming handover ceremony and media, while exploring some of London’s main sites before heading north to Manchester.