Aboriginal Australia marks Survival Day

26 January 2009 | 07:02:07 AM | Source: AAP

indigenous_flag_generic_B_aap_1795068808

Aboriginal flag (AAP)

Many Aboriginal people will mark what they call Survival Day today.

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They want Australia Day to be moved from January 26, the date chosen to commemorate the landing of the first fleet on Australian shores in 1788.

They're backed by new Australian of the Year Mick Dodson, who says the nation's mature enough for a debate on the date, a year on from the apology to the stolen generations.

University of Queensland deputy director of Aboriginal Studies Sam Watson says the swearing in of black US president Barack Obama has stirred the emotions of Aboriginal people, with many feeling left behind.

Mick Dodson says the date of Australia Day needs to be changed because January 26 "isolates" indigenous people.

The Aboriginal leader and academic was named Australian of the Year by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at a ceremony outside Parliament House in Canberra on Sunday night.

Mr Rudd thanked the Yawuru man, 58, for his lifetime commitment to improving the lives of Aboriginal people and in helping to close the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.

Immediately following the official ceremony, Prof Dodson called for a "national conversation" about changing the date of Australia Day, which commemorates the landing of the first fleet on Australian shores in 1788.

The nation was mature enough to have that discussion following the federal government's apology to the Stolen generations last year, he says.

"We have to have a date that's more inclusive than January 26, which is the date that's chosen as the landing of the

first fleet at Sydney Cove," Prof Dodson told reporters.

"To most indigenous Australians it (Australia Day) really reflects the day on which our world came crashing down.

"Many of our people call it invasion day."

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Your Comments

29 Nov 2009 22:36 AEST

Raji

From: Switzerland

celebrate the downfall of a culture??

I'm not saying that Australia has absolutely nothing to celebrate about 'cause that would be a lie. But I do think that Australia Day must be moved to another date. Australia is been built upon genocide of the Aborigines and there's no point denying it. Celebrating that particular date as a national day is just a slap on their faces.

Agree (4 people agree)
Disagree (0 people disagree)
 

07 Feb 2009 9:51 AEST

Andrew

From: n beaches

Australia day date

26th Jan has always been a bad choice but with 1st Jan being our Federation, how do we get the day off work?
Because thats what our average punter will argue.
If we were mature enough to become a republic, then that date would become the most significant and inclusive day in our history.

Agree (4 people agree)
Disagree (0 people disagree)
 

27 Jan 2009 2:02 AEST

Janelle

From: Sydney

Ms.

I was taught as a child when I said sorry I had to mean it.
That meant I had to change my actions from what I had previously done that warranted that sorry in the first place.
Though in this adult world I have grown up in words and people of their words and holding to them seem to be in short supply. Many things are contradictory.
That is you are obliged to apologise even if you don't really mean it.
Very confusing for children, marginalising and foolish?

Agree (5 people agree)
Disagree (1 people disagree)
 

26 Jan 2009 15:38 AEST

Rodney

From: Dee Why

Does this DATE mean so much to you???

I think a little understanding and compassion is what's required for the sadness that this date represents for our indigenous peoples.
If we could imagine just for one minute what it would be like for all of us now who enjoy this wonderful country to have that all taken away so violently - what would we do?
Remember the aborigines lived happily and in harmony with this land for thousands of years, which is something we should learn from.
Is it really such a big ask to change a date??

Agree (8 people agree)
Disagree (2 people disagree)
 

26 Jan 2009 11:14 AEST

Ben Scott-Virtue

From: The Kimberley

A Day for all of us..

I thought Australia Day was a day to comemorate being Australian and to be thankfull for all the wonderful things we enjoy in this country? To change the date to suit a few smacks of arrogance. Perhaps Prof. Dodson should take a learned note that we are ALL Australians rather than seek such a divisive approach. It's one thing to remember the past, another entirely to live in it. As Australia grows up in the eye of the world ALL of its people need to grow with it.. Thats you too professer

Agree (3 people agree)
Disagree (20 people disagree)
 

26 Jan 2009 11:05 AEST

Alex

From: Sydney

Australia belongs to both Indigenous Australians and White Australians

January 26 is the day that Australia was born. Prior to the first fleet landing, this was a land whose peoples had little unity, which had hundreds of names, and whose people lived at the mercy of the seasons. Settlement, whilst it did bring much hardship, also brought beneficial technology like agriculture and medicine. Australia is the country it is today because of British settlement. The country as it stands is a product of both White and Aboriginal citizens. I vote leave the date as is.

Agree (5 people agree)
Disagree (18 people disagree)
 

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