原住民族遺骨與文物返還的制度性反思：從「2017年馬遠布農族遺骸爭議」出發

The Repatriation of Indigenous Remains and Cultural Objects: Lessons from the 2017 Mayuan Case in Taiwan

原住民族遺骨與文物返還是近來國際原住民族運動與原住民族研究（indigenous studies）的一大熱點。而2017年發生的「馬遠布農族遺骸爭議」，恰恰標示出了本土返還議題的爭點所在。有鑑於此，本研究擬從馬遠事件出發，透過制度性的視角來對相關議題進行批判性的檢討。本文指出，所謂的「返還」不只是遺骨或文物物理上的移動與回歸；它所真正處理的其實是權利的重新定義與再探索，更是各關鍵利害關係人間（特別是政府、大學／博物館／研究機構、學術社群、原住民族等）的關係重構。有鑑於問題的複雜，本文提出：吾人應把馬遠一案視為通盤檢討類似案例的契機，透過權利論述與制度設計的雙管齊下，來促成遺骨與文物返還的終極解決。為此，作者指出政府宜展現面對過往黑暗歷史（dark history）的決心，並提供政策引導、經費支持、與法制規範，來協助返還的進程。唯有如此，先人的遺骨才能早日返家安息。

Around the world, the repatriation of indigenous remains has long been a contentious issue. Taiwan is no exception. This article examines the Mayuan repatriation case through an institutional lens. It argues that the so-called “repatriation” is much more complex than the physical return of human remains and cultural objects. The process of repatriation is in fact a redefinition of ownership/rights toward the remains/objects, and a reconstruction of relationships between universities, research groups, and more importantly indigenous peoples. It further argues that this case provides us with an opportunity to revisit the fundamental question of who owns/repatriates what, when and how. Given this complexity, this article stresses that providing institutional arrangements is a must. In so doing, the government should show its determination in facing this dark history and then initiate programs, legal proceedings, and fundings to facilitate the return of indigenous ancestral remains/objects to their communities of origin.