Educate, don’t celebrate this January 26th
So it is that time of year again. January 26th. Invasion Day. Survival Day. Australia Day. No matter what you call it, there is no escaping the exhausting, frustrating and often anger-inducing conversations that come with it.
It is a challenging day for many First Nations people - not because we don’t love Australia but because the day has evolved to embody ignorance around the dichotomy between the destruction of our cultures and the beginning of the Australia we know today. The tensions - between supporters of the 26th of January as Australia Day and those asking to change the date - has distracted from the First Nations message. The call to celebrate this country on a date we can all enjoy is often presented as an attempt to take away national pride, reduce the efforts of settlers and their descendants or push a left agenda. It is actually an attempt to look at our history through a truth lens and acknowledge that January 26th marks the beginning of attempted genocide and the loss of First Nation people, culture and lore. A loss that we are still recovering from 235 years later.
For First Nations people and our allies, it is often a day we withdraw from and with good reason. The amount of racism, misinformation and ignorance that fills the mainstream media, social media and public discussion is relentless. The discussion is exhausting.
The only way this conversation changes is through awareness, education and acceptance of truth.
Here are 5 things you can do to educate instead of celebrate.
Explore and celebrate Aboriginal culture with your learners in the lead up to the 26th of January. Showcase our culture, knowledge and people. Talk about our culture, share the words of our people and be honest about the losses that began on the 26th of January 1788. Have age-appropriate conversations about why some people feel upset about the celebrations taking place around us.
Support Aboriginal communities - attend local Survival events; shop with Aboriginal business; share good news stories about Aboriginal people and share truth. Acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of your local area. Talk about their continuing connection to Country and the work they are doing to rebuild culture after the destruction that began with invasion on the 26th of January.
If your school or organisation is hosting Australia Day activities and events include Aboriginal perspectives. Make our history front and center for all to see. We don’t need to directly confront Australia Day to change people’s views. Plant seeds for ideas that can grow through further discussion and information sharing across the year. Make sure you follow through - regular information, education and celebration of First Nations culture throughout the year is important to drive change.
Celebrate Australia by caring for Country. Focus your activities around land care, conservation and sustainability. Talk about the ways Aboriginal people have cared for Country for tens of thousands of years and how we can all continue to care for Country.
Flood social media with positive stories about Aboriginal people and our communities. Make the conversation about the work we are doing, our achievements and successes and highlight the strengths we demonstrate daily. And as always, don’t feed the trolls! Pick your battles and exercise self care by avoiding the comments and taking time away from the conversation when you need to.
