On January 26, 2025, thousands of Australians will gather across the nation to mark what many Indigenous people term ‘Survival Day’ rather than the widely recognized Australia Day. This annual event serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of colonization on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
For Yuin man Layne Brown from South East NSW, January 26 has never been synonymous with celebration. “The 26th of January has always been a day I haven’t enjoyed,” Brown shared, reflecting on the celebrations observed by non-Aboriginal Australians: exuberant parties and heavy drinking overshadowed by the colonial history the day signifies for Indigenous peoples.
His sentiments resonate deeply within many Aboriginal minds, viewing the day not as one of national pride but as one of mourning atrocities committed against their ancestors. Brown recalls growing up under the teachings of his people about Land Rights, and the confrontations faced when advocating for basic recognition of their existence and rights.
This year’s protests take on additional weight as rally organizers point to global trends of increasing far-right agendas threatening Indigenous rights. According to Tarneen Onus Browne, protest organizer from the Gunditjmara Yorta Yorta Bindal and Meriam communities, “It’s really important for us to get organised as a community and to fight against this.” With echoes of dissent rising from various corners of the globe—including recent protests linked to the Treaty of Waitangi's reinterpretation in New Zealand—the urgency of collective action has intensified.
Events across the country are scheduled for the day, with notable gatherings planned at major landmarks. The Sydney Opera House will light up its sails at dawn as part of the WugulOra morning ceremony, celebrating the culture of the Gadigal people. At 10 am, people will gather in Belmore Park for rallying calls against colonial narratives and to highlight the truths about Australia’s dark past.
Similar happenings are set to occur elsewhere, with the Naarm (Melbourne) protests anticipated to attract thousands as they walk from Parliament House to Federation Square. Activists like Jo Maarama Kamira, Australia’s first Māori policewoman, will remind attendees of the dire consequences faced not only by First Nations peoples here but worldwide. “If Te Tiriti falls, then we see the falling of native title, we’ll see the falling of treaties worldwide,” Kamira warns, linking the struggles of Indigenous peoples across continents.
Multiple issues are set to be discussed at these protests, from the alarming rate of Black deaths in custody to the rising rates of child removals, and the impacts of climate change, all underscored by what activists call “the scarring of community.” The psychiatric toll of these systemic injustices has compounded over generations, emphasized by public health narratives linking these issues to increasing morbidity rates among Indigenous populations.
Profound shifts have also taken place within legislative frameworks recently. ANU Professor Ray Lovett explain the retrospective scrapping of the Queensland Truth Telling Inquiry and associated legislation. “Those changes will overwhelmingly affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people,” he noted, spelling out concerns about regressive policies concerning youth justice.
Melbourne will also see cultural showcases at the Share the Spirit festival, providing space for artists to express their heritage through song, dance, and storytelling. Such events reestablish cultural connections often disrupted by historical injustices and allow echoes of Aboriginal history to reverberate through contemporary society.
Despite the efforts made by local councils to honor the day, discontentment lingers among Aboriginal communities. Many elders express frustration, feeling sidestepped during national celebrations, where initiatives aimed at reconciliation seem ritualistic rather than genuinely inclusive.
The disparate narratives tied to January 26 spur many to call for changes not just on this day but throughout the year. From calls for concrete actions leading to acknowledgment of sovereignty to consistent engagements with local Indigenous voices, the demand is clear: respect and recognition cannot merely be event-driven.
The reflection gatherings, such as Yabun Festival, reclaim the spirit of the day, turning mourning to hope. This year, more than ever, awareness of shared histories framed around ‘Survival Day’ acts as both a call to action and celebration of cultural resilience. It solidifies the narrative urging both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to embrace unity through truth-telling.
These events promise to encourage members of the wider Australian community to engage with their country’s past and its present realities, pushing for nuanced conversations around sovereignty and rights traditionally overlooked. Like Layne Brown suggests, “Find your local community and ask what they’re doing,” emphasizing the need for collective remembrance as they march forth on this pivotal day.
75 years on from the first Aboriginal Day of Mourning protests held on January 26, 1938, this year's events encapsulate the relentless spirit of resistance and call for not just recognition but substantive change. The narrative remains clear: acknowledgment can only begin with genuine discussions and actions aimed at restoring dignity and respect to First Nations peoples.