‘Crying shame’: Elder calls for Indigenous centre, home for stolen relics in Cairns

Repatriated artefacts could be displayed in a First Nations cultural centre in Cairns, creating a new tourism attraction for the region, Yidinji elder Henrietta Marrie says.

The Queensland LNP government has not allocated any money in the 2025 state budget for a First Nations cultural centre to be built in Far North Queensland. Respected Yidinji elder Henrietta Marrie has proposed a First Nations cultural centre be built, giving detailed plans to the previous state government. Picture: Brendan Radke

Repatriated artefacts could be displayed in a First Nations cultural centre in Cairns, creating a new tourism attraction for the region, Yidinji elder Henrietta Marrie says.

But the LNP’s failure to back the project in the latest state budget has cast doubt over its future.

A $3m business case that explored building centres in both Cairns and Brisbane started in 2022, with its findings delivered to arts minister John-Paul Lanbroek earlier this year.

Community leaders had hoped funding for the project would be announced by the Queensland government on Tuesday.

Prof Marrie said the centre had the power to become a powerful educational and cultural tool, attracting visitors from around the world.

“It’s disappointing,” she said. “There’s nothing in Cairns that can give us pride and joy to be able to educate others about who we are.

“To talk about our traditions, culture and the history of this place. I think it’s a crying shame that for so long we’ve gone without a place we can call our own. Somewhere we can be proud to bring our young people to and teach them about our songlines, dances and teach the language of this region.”

More than 100,000 stolen First Nations artefacts were currently held in museums around the world, including sea shell regalia that belonged to Prof Marrie’s grandfather, Ye-i-nie, a prominent leader in the Far North during the early 1900s.

“We have nowhere in Cairns,” the honorary professor at University of Queensland said.

“Where can we house our shields, our message sticks and regalia that our old people and our law men wore?”

Member for Cairns Michael Healy is less than impressed with the LNP’s state budget. Picture: Samuel Davis

Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the centre would capture international visitors’ imagination and generate more jobs in the region with tourists expected to visit the Far North in record numbers during the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

“Among international tourists’ top three asks are Indigenous experiences and understanding one of the oldest cultures in the world,” Mr Healy said.

“But this is a Premier who gave a commitment to our First Nations people that he was prepared to have open discussions regarding our treaty and truth telling.

“He back-flipped on that too. It comes as no surprise that the Crisafulli government has made very little movement in this space.”

A spokeswoman for the arts minister said: “The Government has received the First Nations Cultural Centre proposals and is considering the findings of the report.”

Originally published as ‘Crying shame’: Elder calls for Indigenous centre, home for stolen relics in Cairns