"Cultural warning: Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander People are warned that this publication includes some images and names of people who are deceased. We do not wish to cause any unwitting offence. In dealing with areas of cultural sensitivity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, the authors have followed a procedure of consulting with Elders and Custodians for the use of images and text in this book to ensure a correct approach and due permission. The Vatican Museums thank all individuals, communities and institutions who have kindly given permission to reproduce works."--Page [2]

"Drawn primarily from three areas in Australia, the Kimberley region, New Norcia and the Tiwi Islands "--Page10.

"Text: K. Aigner, K. Akerman, H. Boyd, P. Dodson, D. Ferguson, J. Healy, J. Hunt, B. James, P. Jones, S. Kleinert, A. McGrath, I. McLean, H. Morphy, W.J. Patrick, B. Pascoe, A. Poelina, B. Rooney, J. Ryan, T. Swain, M. West."--Page [2]

Includes bibliographical references (pages 370-385)

Introduction -- Indigenous Australian Collection: The making of a collection -- Material Culture: Collections, connections, relationships -- The material culture of Western Australia -- Wanjina art of the Kimberley -- Artefacts of exchange and networks of trade -- Sorrow and celebration: material items of the Tiwi -- Cultural Heritage: The Yued clan: identity and cultural renewal -- The Kimberley: a cultural, political and social region -- Missions and the making of Aboriginal modern art in the Western Desert -- Wangkayarla Nguruku, Kapungku Nguruju Pina Wangkami-jarla -- Ancient 'evidence' for a modern sacred -- Talk about embarrassed -- Resilience and resurgence in Southeastern Australia -- Custodians: Protecting the river of life -- Voice of the land: Laurie Baymarrwangga (c. 1917-2014) -- Land of the first light -- 'We lived like Kings and Queens": Allan Richard Carriage (1942-2011) -- Origins in country: Bodies of dreamings colliding with land -- Catalogue of objects -- Notes, Bibliographical References and Authors Biographies.

The responsibility to culturally reconnect relevant contemporary Indigenous communities to their material heritage held in the Museum has been realised and is documented in this catalogue, which includes a catalogue of objects, and essays by Indigenous and non-Indigenous authors. During the process of community visits and consultations, images of the objects brought old and young people together, instigating intergenerational dialogue about the past. Now, in collaboration with communities, the Indigenous collection can be seen in this catalogue and is represented at the heart of the Vatican Museums where the objects have become cultural ambassadors inviting others to come and learn more about Australian Indigenous cultures.