Januray 26th means different things to all of us, so we wanted to provide some support for mob, as well as some info on how to be an ally to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on this day and beyond.
For mob
The lead up to Invasion/Survival Day can bring up a lot of grief, anger and sadness, so it's important to look after you and your family's wellbeing.
Take a break from the news, social media, and the comments section. One of the downsides to social media is that now more than at any other time in history, we can read hundreds of thousands of people's opinions at once, which is a lot to handle, especially when reading about an issue that directly affects you and your community. Check in on your teen after they spend time online and offer them support if they want to chat about anything they've seen.
Connect with Country. If you can, think about making some time to connect with Country as a family. Spending time swimming, camping and walking on country might help you feel grounded, strong and connected to each other.
Talk to someone you trust. Is there someone in your community you can spend time with now? Open up the conversation with your teens or encourage them to reach out to their Aunties, Uncles or Elders if they feel more comfortable having a yarn with them.
Create a community thread. If you need to get some things off your chest, know that we are also here to listen. You can also suggest that your teen does the same over in our Youth community.
Connect with a support service. If reaching out to a support service will help, there are lots of options.
- 13YARN - 24/7 culturally safe crisis support
- Wellmob - information and resources for wellbeing
- iBobbly - a self-help app
- Brother to Brother - 24/7 crisis line phone support from Aboriginal men for Aboriginal men
- Thirrili - support for individuals, families, and communities affected by suicide or other significant trauma
- Yarn Safe - Mental health and well-being resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Manual of Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention - Practical resources and videos supporting positive mental health and wellbeing
For allies
January 26 is currently observed as ‘Australia Day,’ in memory of the day the First Fleet sailed into Port Jackson (now Sydney) in 1788. However, it is also known as Invasion Day or Survival Day, as it also marks the loss of the land, community, languages, freedom and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The controversy surrounding 26th of January is something your teen may have heard about from social media, TV or friends and it's a great opportunity for education and discussion. Here are some tips on how to best be prepared and support them with this.
Learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history. Check out this timeline of events from 16,000 BCE to 2017. You can also review some of the developments around the day on an Aboriginal history timeline here.
Attend or volunteer at a First Nations event. We’ve found a great guide to what’s going on around the country – from festivals celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, to protest marches and open discussion forums. Use the day to celebrate and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Suggest some activities to do together. Watch one of the many Indigenous TV shows or movies on offer, check the NITV guide here. Explore your teen’s creative side if an art gallery near you is having an an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander exhibition. Many bush and coastal walks have a rich Aboriginal history, so you can get out in nature and connect with culture at the same time.
Find some more suggestions here.
