Always Was, Always Will Be: Where To Find Your Nearest Invasion Day Rally
Despite the pressing issues facing First Nations people this year, Invasion Day is a moment of mourning, not debate.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in so-called Australia, January 26 is a day of mourning.
Tomorrow marks one of the biggest challenges for the survival of the world’s oldest civilisation after British colonisers raised the Union Jack at Sydney Cove (Warrane).
From being declared ‘flora and fauna’ under the false doctrine of Terra Nullius to continuing legal and political failures from both sides of the government, First Nations peoples are still fighting to receive adequate and meaningful representation on their own land.
As rallies and ceremonies marking this day of mourning kick off the country tomorrow, we’re keeping in mind that despite the number of relevant policies and social initiatives relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ people this year, it is naive and harmful to expect Indigenous people to all share the same perspective.
Despite campaigns like the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, or Change The Date, the diverse experiences and perspectives of First Nations people need to be understood and respected. Please see the following post written by Gomeroi social worker Rach McPhail for more information.
It is vital that non-Indigenous attendees at these events not endanger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with violence or otherwise illegal activities that risk inciting a hostile police presence. Attendees are also encouraged to wear face masks, particularly as First Nations peoples are more susceptible to COVID-19 than the rest of the population.
Without further ado, here’s a round-up of the 2023 Invasion Day rallies happening this Thursday:
New South Wales
- Sydney (Eora): Belmore Park, 9:30am Facebook event
- Newcastle (Awabakal): Customs House, 10am Facebook event
- Bermagui (Yuin): Dickinson Oval, 11am Facebook page
Northern Territory
- Darwin (Larrakia): Don Dale, Berrimah, 10am Facebook event
Queensland
- Brisbane (Meanjin): Queens Gardens, 10am Facebook event
- Toowoomba: Tobruk Memorial Drive Park, 6am Facebook event
- Maroochydore (Kabi Kabi): Foundation Square, 9am Facebook event
- Townsville (Thul Garrie Waja): The Strand, 6am Facebook event
South Australia
- Adelaide (Tarndanya): Tarndanyangga Victoria Square, 12:30pm Facebook event
Tasmania
- Hobart (Nipaluna): Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, 10:45am Facebook event
- Devonport (Limilinaturi): Tulaminakali Health Service, 106 Best Street, 11:30am Facebook event
Victoria
- Melbourne (Naarm): Victorian Parliament House, 11am Facebook event
- Ballarat (Wathaurong): Lake Wendouree Victoria Square, 5:30am Event page
- Mildura: Langtree Mall, 10am Event page
- Geelong (Wadawurrung) – Postponed, check Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Op’s Facebook page for updates
Western Australia
- Perth (Boorloo): Forrest Chase, 3pm Facebook event
ACT
- Canberra (Ngunnawal) – Sovereignty Day-Isabell Coe Memorial Lecture, Aboriginal Tent Embassy, 9:30am
Photo credit: Anadolu Agency / Getty Images