January 26 is a day of mourning for First Nations people, also known as Invasion Day, or Survival Day.
There are many reasons why January 26 is controversial, painful and traumatic for First Nations people. We acknowledge the violent and devastating history of colonisation in Australia since 1788 and the effects of colonisation that are ongoing today.
We acknowledge the legacy of racism that plays out in Australian society, the land that is destroyed, the families that are ripped apart by the judicial system and health inequalities that continue to effect First Nations communities.
We acknowledge that we organise across stolen land, where the sovereign peoples of these lands have survived many apocalypses, and continue to do so with creativity, strength and power. We pay respect to Elders, past, present and emerging.
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This year's Invasion Day is especially significant with the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in so-called Canberra. This site has been a significant presence in First Nations politics, as it is a constant reminder to the Australian government Aboriginal people all over the nation should have the right to preserve and protect their respective Countries and culture. Although the embassy began as a small group of people with beach umbrellas protesting land rights, it’s become a beacon of hope for self-determination and sovereignty across the continent.
Don't celebrate - Donate! Please support one of the world's longest continuing protest sites here.
Invasion Day events across the continent.
*Please check the event itself for updates in the lead up to the date*
We also ask that you remain diligent in staying home if you are showing symptoms to Covid, are a close contact or think you may have been exposed to Covid-19. True solidarity includes looking out for one another on the ground.
ACT
Ngunnawal Country / Canberra
50th Anniversary Aboriginal Tent Embassy
25th, 26th and 27th January 3-day event here.
Muslims of Australia Standing in Solidarity 50 Years of Resisting Aboriginal Tent Embassy.
9:00am 26th Parliament House, Canberra
VICTORIA
Wurundjeri Country / Narrm / Melbourne
Share the Spirit Festival.
1.00pm Hosted by Share the Spirit. Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung / Merri Creek
Talking Merri Birrarung (Part 2)
26th January on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country where the Merri flows into Birrarung (Yarra River). Hosted by Merri Creek Management Committee
6-7pm. Must register here.
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung / Essendon
Bunjil's Marroun Healing Ceremony
5pm Woodlands Park, Woodland Street, Essendon
Yaluk-ut Weelam of the Boon Wurrung / St Kilda
We-Akon Dilinja (Mourning-Reflection ceremony).
Hosted by the Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council (BLSC)
5:45am-7am Alfred Square, St Kilda
Wurundjeri Country / Belgrave
Belgrave Survival Day 15th Anniversary.
Hosted by Belgrave Survival Day
12:00pm Borthwick Park Belgrave
Boon Wurrung / Glen Eira
Koori Chill Out 2022
5:30pm Booran Reserve, corner Booran and Glenhuntly Roads, Glen Huntly
Bunarong Country / Mount Martha
Our Survival Day 2022 - Reconnection.
Hosted by Our Songlines
12:00pm The Briars 450 Nepean Highway Mount Martha, VIC 3934
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung / Malvern
Healing Ceremony.
Hosted by Stonnington City Council
11.45am Malvern Cricket ground, corner of High Street and Glenferrie Road, Malvern
Dja Dja Wurrung Country / Castlemaine
Survival Day Community Event.
Hosted by Mount Alexander Shire Council
10am-1:30pm Victory Park, 30 Mostyn Street, Castlemaine
Gunditjmara Country / Portland
Smoking ceremony.
Hosted by Gunditjmara Peoples
9:00am Gunditj Kilcarer Country. 37-39 Beach Road, Allestree VIC 3305, Australia.
We ask that those able to attend this event bring with them a wreath or bunch of native flowers/plants to place on the beaches.
A second smoking ceremony.
12:00pm ‘Ploughed Field’ 141–151 Bentinck Street, Portland VIC 3305, Australia at.
Wadawurrung Country / Ballarat
Survival Day Dawn Ceremony 2022.
Hosted by Ballarat Koorie Engagement Action Group
5:30am Viewpoint, Lake Wendouree, Ballarat.
Millewa-Mallee / Mildura
Survival Day March from Langtree Mall to Murray River
3pm Langtree Mall, Mildura
NSW
Gadigal Country / Warrang / Sydney
Invasion Day - Survival Day - Day of Mourning March.
10:00am Sydney Town Hall 83 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
Gadigal Country / Warrang / Sydney
Yabun Festival.
Hosted by Yabun Festival and Koori Radio
11:00am Victoria Park, Parramatta Rd, Broadway Sydney, NSW, Australia 2008
Awabakal and Woirimi Country / Newcastle
Day of Mourning.
Hosted by Justice Aunties
10:00am Foreshore Park, Wharf Road, Newcastle East
Wiradjuri Country / Griffith
12:00pm Survival Day 2022.
Hosted by the Griffith Local Aboriginal Land Council
5 Wayeela St, Griffith NSW 2680
TASMANIA
Lutruwita Country / Tasmania
Online Invasion Day Rally.
11:45am Hosted by Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre
QUEENSLAND
Bindal and Wulgurukaba Country / Townsville
Dawn Service and Survival Day.
Hosted by Blak Art Markets Tsv
6:00am Strand Park Beach, Townsville
Yuggera Country / Meanjin / Brisbane
Annual Survival Day Ceremony.
Hosted by Benarrawa Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Solidarity Group
7:15am Gather at the bronze canoe, near Simpson’s Playground, end of Graceville Avenue, Graceville
Yuggera Country / Meanjin / Brisbane
Brisbane Invasion Day Rally 2022.
Hosted by YUGGERA PEOPLES.
9:00am Brisbane Parliament House 2A George St Brisbane.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Whadjuk Noongar Country / Boorloo / Perth
Perth Invasion Day 2022.
2:00pm, 200 Murray Street, Perth WA Perth, WA, Australia 6000
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Kaurna Country / Adelaide
Survival Day 2022
12:30pm Tarndanyangga / Victoria Square
We acknowledge that this year especially, it will be hard for people to attend in-person events due to Covid.
See below for a number of online events and self-study options.
Online Events
Victorian NAIDOC presents '2022 Invasion Day Dawn Service'
Wed, 26 January 2022 6:15 AM – 7:15 AM AEDT ONLINE
Invasion Day Dawn Service virtual event - online for the safety of communities, First Nations’ allies and supporters.
Invasion Day Webinar hosted by Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
Jan 21, 2022 01:00 PM in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Event Streaming / Radio Broadcasts
Wurundjeri Country / Narrm / Melbourne
3CR Community Radio 855AM
Live Rally Broadcast
Black Fire Seminars: hosted by The Melbourne School of Discontent
#1 Prof Gary Foley
Sat, 22 January 2022 Online 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM AEDT Tickets here.
#2 Film Screening "Ningla Ana"
Sat, 22 January 2022 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM AEST Tickets here.
#3 Jacqui Katona
Sun, 23 January 202210:00 AM – 11:00 AM AEST Tickets here.
#4 Tony Birch
Sun, 23 January 2022 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM AEST Tickets here.
Self Study
Frontier Wars Stories Podcast, Hosted by Boe Spearim
The Koori History Project Website, Created by Prof Gary Foley
The Killing Times: a massacre map of Australia's frontier wars, The Guardian
History of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy
Timeline - Aboriginal Tent Embassy
Decolonising Solidarity - What can I do?
Some advice for white activists in Australia
We look forward to seeing a powerful day of resistance and solidarity!