This Friday 26 January is recognised nationally as Australia Day. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, January 26 is Invasion Day, or Survival Day. It is also the anniversary of the 1938 Day of Mourning. It is a day that we mourn the dispossession and pillage of Country, the criminalisation of our languages, and the attempted genocide of our People. We mourn those who were stolen from their families and communities, in what became known as the Stolen Generations, and we mourn for those who have been removed from family and community since.
But we also celebrate: we celebrate our survival as the oldest continuing culture in the world. We celebrate the revival of our languages, the successes of our young people, and the strength and tenacity of our old people. We celebrate our Elders, and our ancestors, and we celebrate each other and our community.
This Friday, we encourage you to reflect on what 26 January means to you. Should we celebrate ‘Australia’ on a day that is so fraught with emotion for First Peoples? Or should we take the day to reflect, to learn, and to listen? Whichever you decide, we ask that you go gently and respectfully.
Lindsay and Amy
SUPRA Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Officers
Key events across Country:
- Yabun Festival 10am – 6pm, Friday 26 January, Victoria Park, Gadigal Country
- Dawn Reflection 5:20–5:40am, Friday 26 January, Sydney Opera House, Gadigal Country
- WugulOra Morning Ceremony 7:30–8:30am, Friday 26 January, Walumil Lawns Barangaroo Reserve, Barangaroo, Gadigal Country
- Invasion Day Protest and March 10am, Friday 26 January, Belmore Park (marching to Victoria Park), Gadigal Country
- Blak Powerhouse 5–10pm, Friday 26 January, Powerhouse Museum, Gadigal Country
- Sunset Cultural Ceremony 5–8pm, Thursday 25 January, Burnum Burnum Sanctuary, Woronora, Dharawal Country
- Invasion Day Rally/Day of Mourning 9:30am, Friday 26 January, Customs House Fountain, Newcastle, Awabakal and Worimi Country
- Currie Country Holding Space 7am, Friday 26 January, Fingal Head Boat Harbour, Bundjalung Country
- Kuradji Survival Day 10am – 4pm, Friday 26 January, Sandon Point, Thirroul, Dharawal Country
- Bermagui Survival Day 11am, Friday 26 January, Dickinson Oval, Bermagui, Yuin Country.
Stay in touch with us