For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the 26th of January represents the lived experiences of oppression and dispossession which began on the 26th of January, 1788 as the British flag was raised at Sydney Cove. It represents the beginning of colonisation and a history of suffering, racism, death, the Stolen Generations, and more.
This Invasion Day, Survival Day, and Day of Mourning, UN Youth Australia encourages young people to learn more about this date, including its history and what it represents for Australia’s First Nations people. We encourage young people to read, listen and engage with the lived experiences of First Nations people.
Below is a list of resources by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and authors. Please check out some of the resources listed below to learn more.
UN Youth Australia did not create nor alter and do not own or otherwise have material personal interests in these resources. UN Youth Australia remains only as a conduit of information, sharing First Nations resources for the youth of Australia,
by Common Ground – Common Ground puts together a resource that explains what Australia Day means for First Nations people and explores First Nations perspectives, and the Change the Date and Abolish the Date movements.
by Luke Pearson via NITV – Luke Pearson discusses how each of the three different names for January 26th captures an important part of what the date represents.
by Claire Coleman via IndigenousX – Claire Coleman discusses how January 26th, and Australia Day protests, are now used to highlight and draw attention to every issue faced by First Nations people. This includes deaths in custody, land rights, treaty, representations, Constitutional change, and more.
by Joanne Luke via IndigenousX – Joanne Luke shares her family’s truth to recognise the humanity of lived experiences of Aboriginal people. She writes “Changing the nation begins with truth-telling”.
by Luke Pearson via IndigenousX – Luke Pearson writes how he feels Australia isn’t worth celebrating where it is right now. Luke discusses the lived and continued injustices faced by First Nations people, and how we must first address these injustices and empower Indigenous people.
by Summer May Finlay via NITV – Summer May Finlay writes she often is asked: “How can non-indigenous people be a useful ally to Aboriginal people?”. In this article, Summer sets out some tips.
by Heidi Norman and Jennifer Newman via IndigenousX – Heidi and Jennifer write about ‘The Vigil’, a space in which hearts and imaginations can connect to the sit, sound and smell of the night before January 26th; “where Eora exercised uncontested and understood sovereignties for themselves with their lands, waters and sky.
by @blakbusiness via Instagram – Olivia from @blakbusiness puts together some information on the “Change the Date” and “Abolish the Date” movements, including what happened on 26th of January, 1788.
by @abcindigenous via Instagram – ABC Indigenous highlights how the January 26 debate is taking an excruciating toll, leading to a generational divide.
by ABC via ABC IVIEW – Insightful, irreverent, moving and unpredictable, this episode sets the record straight about what it’s really like to be an Indigenous Australian. #YouCantAskThat.
