Many thousands of Australians are expected to join ceremonies, rallies and other events marking 26 January as Invasion Day, Survival Day and a Day of Mourning (see this list of events compiled by The Guardian, including rallies, ceremonies and concerts.)
Meanwhile, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations are highlighting the importance of the cultural determinants of health for wellbeing, acknowledging that the timing of Australia Day – on a date marking the start of the colonisation of Australia and all its associated and ongoing traumas for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – is even more problematic in the wake of the referendum loss on a Voice to Parliament.
Lowitja Institute CEO Adjunct Professor Janine Mohamed is a contender at the Australian Of the Year awards, which will be announced in Canberra tonight.
Media matters
Mental health group Mindframe has encouraged use of the Good Yarn Guidelines Media guidelines on the reporting of First Nations issues in Australia.
Amongst other recommendations, these stress the importance of acknowledging the long history and culture of First Nations people, caution against using statements or quotes that discount First Nations history and culture, such as “Australia is 200 years old” or “colonisation has been good for Aboriginal people”.
The guidelines recommend using statements or quotes that acknowledge First Nations history and culture, and warn against amplifying comments or materials that contain hate speech. Instead, media should refer to such comments without using direct quotes or republishing materials.
Perhaps someone could send a copy of the guidelines to LNP headquarters…
Health sector
As prominent sporting leaders support #ChangeTheDate, some health organisations show their support by working through, and others are encouraging health workers to show up at rallies.
Read up
IndigenousX: It’s time to reimagine our communities, not have the same Invasion Day debates, by Nat Cromb
Indigenous X: Shifting Attitudes to Invasion Day Give Me Hope, by Ellen van Neerven
IndigenousX: Pride and Nationalism in the colony, by Bizzi Lavelle
The Conversation: What’s behind Woolworths, Aldi and Kmart distancing themselves from Australia Day?
Also see Croakey’s latest ICYMI column for an update on treaty processes.
See Croakey’s archive of articles on Indigenous health