ABSTRACT
The Ngarrindjeri people of the Coorong, South Australia, maintain a vibrant ceremonial life that celebrates and nurtures the land and its people. Major Sumner has conducted many ceremonies both within Australia and overseas that have laid to rest the remains of Ngarrindjeri Ancestors that have been returned to their country from museums overseas. Repatriation is a new concept that must be accommodated within ceremonial practice, and some new songs and dances are necessary to reflect the history of removal and return of the remains. Grace Koch interviewed Major Sumner about the importance of song and ceremony to the Ngarrindjeri as well as his thoughts on some of the underlying issues and practices that arise during repatriation ceremonies.
