Warning: This article contains images of people who have passed away.
January 26 is a difficult day for a lot of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. While many people believe that it celebrates the arrival of Captain Cook on the shores of Botany Bay, the day actually marks when Arthur Phillip raised the British flag at Warrane (Sydney Cove) in 1788.
The Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, the Traditional Owners of Warrane (Sydney Cove), have never ceded sovereignty to the British nation. Nor has any other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nation on this continent. In order to claim ‘Australia’, the continent was labelled as ‘terra nullius’, meaning ‘land belonging to no-one’, which was not the case.
The hundreds of vast and complex Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nations and Societies were inaccurately characterised as ‘flora and fauna’. This date also marks the beginning of a process of genocide that directly impacted and continues to impact all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
This day can bring up trauma and heartache for a lot of mob around Australia.
For many, however, they have used this day to connect with culture and support each other, celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander excellence, resilience, and survival.
Some call it the Day of Mourning, Invasion Day, or Survival Day, recognising the incredible strength and resilience of First Nations Communities who have continually fought against colonisation. These ideas also honour the Elders and Ancestors who have fought for the survival of their languages, cultures and Countries.
Many First Nations people throughout Australia use January 26 as an opportunity to connect with others in their Community. People gather at events throughout the country to sit down together, yarn, reflect, and connect.
While the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) has regional staff in the Northern Territory and Western Australia, our organisation was founded on Gadigal Country and that is where most of our staff work.
It is for this reason that it is important for the ILF honour and pay respects to the incredible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations in Sydney.
The ILF has proudly been involved in and supporting the Yabun Festival on January 26 for many years.
Yabun Festival on Gadigal Country was founded in 2001 following the Survival Day events that occurred in Sydney in the 1990s.
The ILF has participated in this festival for many years, and often holds a stall to give away and sell books and merch.
While Yabun is an event to honour the strengths of First Nations Peoples and Communities, it is also a space where all people are welcome and encouraged to come along.
Many non-Indigenous people show their solidarity and support by attending events like Yabun and joining in on important conversations about First Nations Peoples’ hopes for the present and future.
It is these collective gatherings that are not about January 26 itself, but about celebrating connection to people and place.
They are opportunities to build relationships and bring people together, centering culture.
It is also an opportunity for all Australians to listen to and engage with First Nations knowledge systems.
There are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander events happening throughout Australia where you can celebrate culture, buy incredible art and clothing, learn about Indigenous organisations in your community, and support mob!
It is important for Australians to incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing into teaching all year round. This is always worthwhile.
The ILF has a range of resources available for teachers and schools, including the Indigenous Literacy Day annual FILMs, the Country Tells Us When… Teacher Resources by ILF Ambassador Shelley Ware, ILF books, and more resources on our website.
You can also thoughtfully engage with our books by reading the Teacher Resources by ILF Ambassador Shelley Ware for, ngayawanj bagan-nggul, ngayawanj barra barra-nggul (we belong to the land, we belong to the sea), bagan, barra barra, mirriwarr (The Boys Who Found Their Way), and Yaltji Ngayuku Papa? (Where is my Dog?). These books are written and illustrated by remote Communities and celebrate Country, Culture, and Community life.
This year’s NAIDOC theme is ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’. This theme ‘celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors’, says the NAIDOC committee.
Check out this extensive list of gatherings, festivals, dawn services and more throughout the country.
There are also online events happening by Children’s Ground and more.
Whatever way you engage with January 26, make sure that culture, inclusion, and connection are centred.
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Written by Ella Schofield