The South Australian Museum holds one of the most important collections of Aboriginal material culture in the world. The legacy of these collections carries great potential, but also great responsibilities. The 30,000 individual items include irreplaceable artefacts, artworks and ceremonial materials of great significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Museum works in partnership with Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities to clarify its responsibilities in caring for these objects, and for making them accessible and presenting them in collaborative and culturally appropriate ways.
The Museum recognises that a key part of reconciliation is acknowledging and addressing the inequalities faced by many Australian Aboriginal and and Torres Strait Islander people, including in areas including wellbeing and education. It offers unique programs to younger Australian Aboriginal and and Torres Strait Islander people and employs a number of Aboriginal staff members across its archive, collection management and research areas.