First Nations
Learn about the rich cultures and histories of First Nations Queensland Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, World Cultures and Pacific peoples.
Overview
Queensland has two distinct First Nations peoples: the Aboriginal language groups endemic to the mainland and the Torres Strait Islander peoples originating from the archipelago situated between Far North Queensland’s Cape York Peninsular and Papua New Guinea.
First Nations cultures recognise more than four seasons in the calendar year with intimate knowledge and experience handed down through millennia. nuance of changes of season are celebrated through cultural observances and practices including through ceremony and song, dance and ritual including contemporary expressions of art. Queensland’s unique geography, geological formations, landscapes and environments are revered and today many Native Title Corporations work in partnership with local, state and federal government to ‘care for country’ under direction from Traditional Owners and Elders.
Aboriginal cultures
Discover how public art gives descendants of Traditional Owner groups the opportunity to express their creative artforms.
Immerse yourself in Arrernte landscape splendour, as we unveil our mesmerising, Hermannsburg (Ntaria) Watercolour Artworks Collection, held in our First Nations Cultures collections.
Learn about the Yuwi shields from Mackay cared for by Queensland Museum and discover how these objects provide descendants connections to their ancestors that created them.
Explore how having access to material from museum collections is significant to the processes of reconnecting, reclaiming, and honouring Ancestral stories, knowledges, and cultural practices.
Pacific cultures
Working with the Australian South Sea Islander Communities in Queensland highlights the importance of places and stories in our landscape.
World cultures
Explore Queensland Museum Charles and Kati Marson Ethno-musical Instrument Collection.
Discover more
Learn more about Queensland’s connections to our nearest neighbours in the Pacific region.
Find out more about Queensland Museum’s Repatriation Program and assistance to First Nations communities.
Explore Queensland Museum's reconciliation journey and our current Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
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