Indigenous artefact returned to Kimberley traditional owner after chance op-shop find

A freak find in a Perth op-shop has led to the return of a culturally significant artefact nearly 2000km away in Western Australia’s Kimberley region.

Earlier this year, former Rio Tinto employee Chris Olsen saw a carved pearl shell — known as a riji — in a op-shop window and immediately recognised its potential importance.

A riji is a ceremonially engraved pearl shell which has deep cultural and spiritual significance to Aboriginal peoples of the northwest Kimberley region, including the Bardi Jawi People.

Given his time working in the region as a Rio Tinto employee, Mr Olsen said he immediately recognised the item and knew it was of importance.

“When I saw the riji hanging in the window in Perth, I immediately knew it wasn’t decorative, but something special to be returned to Country, to the people who hold its cultural and spiritual meaning,” he said.

“My time working with traditional owners on the Dampier Peninsula was incredibly special.

“I was honoured to learn about the significance of the riji shells from an extraordinary Bardi artist and cultural leader who has since passed away.”

Once he found the object, Mr Olsen contacted his former employer to check if it was a genuine artefact, and confirmed so after consulting with their Bardi Jawi employees.

The item — that is estimated the item could be more than 100 years old — was then returned to the Dampier Peninsula with senior community members.

Bardi Jawi traditional owner Aaron Davey said he was thankful the riji had been returned to where it belonged.

“On behalf of the Bardi Jawi People of the Dampier Peninsula, I want to thank Chris for finding and returning this very old riji back to the people and Country it belongs,” he said.

“This artefact is not only a connection to our past but an important representation of the identity, values and traditions of the Bardi Jawi People.”