January 26 – what you can read, view and do
I started writing this in early January and my social media timelines were already full of the angst that appears every year in the lead up to January 26. The conversations don’t change much, but the emotional and mental exhaustion that comes with having them does – it gets worse.
Tee by Vernon Ah Kee, Dark & DisturbingThis year I am taking myself off Twitter and Facebook mid-January to save my sanity, protect my spirit, and to just reflect on the day celebrated widely as ‘Australia Day’, but better known in my world as ‘Invasion Day’ and ‘Survival Day’.
I have posted blogs in the past on Why I’ll be Marching (or working) on January 26, but this year, I thought I’d blog a list of resources for anyone looking for reading or viewing ideas to help get through the days before and after, and to assist with any difficult conversations you may need to have.
This is a very basic list, far from comprehensive, just some starting points. Please feel free to add your own ideas in the comments below or email me if you want me to add something to this list: a.heiss@uq.edu.au
ARTICLES / BLOGS
The many different dates we’ve celebrated Australia Day by Chloe Sargeant (SBS)10 Things you should know about Australia Day, by Luke Pearson & Sophie Verass (NITV) OPINION: Invasion Day, Survival Day, or Day of Mourning? All of the above by Luke Pearson Hey, Ancestor! Waanyi woman and author of acclaimed novel Carpentaria, Alexis Wright reflects on 26 January in this poem Discovery, settlement or invasion? The power of language in Australia’s historical narrative Australians Together Australia Day: What’s the fuss about January 26? – includes teaching guide. 5 reasons to change the date by Mike Butler On this Invasion Day, I am angry. Australia has a long way to go by Pekeri RuskaFremantle axes Australia Day celebrations for ‘culturally-inclusive alternative.The Onus is no longer on Indigenous Australia. Come and rise to change the nation by Vanessa Turnbull-RobertsIndigenous Peoples Day in the USMUSIC
A.B. Original – January 26 (Official video)I Still Call Australia Home – The Last KinectionYothu Yindi – Treaty (Filthy Lucre Radio Edit)BOOKS
Day Break by Amy McQuire and Matt Chun Who Am I? The diary of Mary Talence, Sydney 1937 by Anita Heiss (Scholastic, 2001)Australia Day by Stan Grant“Shame Day, My Birthday – 26 January” Ruby Langford-Ginibi in her memoir Real Deadly The Forgotten War by Henry ReynoldsPOETRY
“Invasion Day” by Elizabeth Jarrett in Fire Front: First Nations Poetry and Power Today, UQP, 2020“Invasion Day January 26 – Indigenous Australia 1993” by Cec Fisher, in Flag of Unity, 1993DOCOS /MOVIES / VIDEOS
Aboriginal People Respond to ‘Australia Day’Invasion Day, Truth Telling, and Australia’s History | Q&ABabaKiueria (1986) revolves around a role-reversal, whereby it is Aboriginal Australians who invade and colonise the fictitious country of Babakiueria, a land that has long been inhabited by white natives, the Babakiuerians.“88” is a landmark documentary that explores the remarkable events that led up to January 26th 1988, the march and its aftermath. For many people their memories of the Bicentennial are tied to the Tall Ships coming through Sydney Harbour with Princess Diana and Prince Charles gracing our shores. At the other end of the city the March for Justice, Freedom and Hope took place – the largest protest march since the Vietnam Moratorium with over 30,000 Aboriginal people serving as a reminder that white Australia has a black History.’ (Purskey Productions. 57 mins)INVASION DAY / SURVIVAL DAY EVENTS
NSW
YABUN will be online this year.
WA
January 24 – One Day in Fremantle
VICTORIA
Invasion Day Dawn service
Share the Spirit Festival
Survival Day Dawn Service Ballarat
WEBSITES and MEDIA to FOLLOW
Change the Date
Teaching Indigenous Knowledges: Australia Day/Invasion Day overview
3CR Victoria Invasion Day 2021
NITV and SBS Invasion Day 2021 programming
989FM QLD– follow for updates
