<p>Since the 19th century, the inhabitants of the Atacama Desert (Northern Chile) have coexisted with collecting, archaeology and museum practices. By the late 20th century, the Atacameño Lickanantay People began challenging the State, archaeologists, and museums over the meaning, rights, and return of their ancestors’ bodies, which are currently held in national and international institutions. These disputes reveal the tensions between local knowledge and authorized heritage discourse. This paper critically examines these conflicts, emphasizing the role of Indigenous communities in reclaiming their ancestors and material culture. We explore the progress and challenges of a repatriation project in Atacameño territory, contributing to ongoing debates on decolonization, restitution, and collaborative archaeology.</p>