"January 26, 1788 is the day Sir Arthur Phillip raised the British flag at Warrane (Sydney Cove) to claim the land as a British Colony. This day marks the beginning of a long and brutal colonisation of people and land."
Known as ‘Invasion Day’ or ‘Survival Day’ by many First Nations people, it is time for non-indigenous people in Australia to reflect on our role in society and the systems that perpetuate colonisation and racism; to listen to, and stay with, the truth-telling; and learn how to be better allies.
We've had time now to become wide awake to how fundamental First Nations justice is to climate, social and eco justice, and in these movements our growing dedication to decolonisation and allyship is noticeable.
As someone “doing my own work” I am vulnerable to mistakes, shame, learning and learning again. This is truly a life-long and life-giving practice. Sometimes it seems nourishment and joy can be overshadowed by the inherently confronting and challenging nature of the process.
Here are just a few (white woman's) ideas for staying awake, connecting and taking action toward a hopefully mutually nourishing and better allyship with First Nations people.
We can commit to staying awake, to listen to the truth-telling, unlearn and disrupt white privilege, ask what it means to be non-indigenous, what we fail to see, and how we can continue to grow into being better allies in genuine relationship.
We can recognise and be invigorated by connection, to embody an anti-racist identity that is actively decolonising, to be invited into original cultural ways of relating, and deepen our personal sense of mutual care with Country.
We are called to act. To humbly and in solidarity support the agency and perspectives of First Nations peoples, centring their knowledge, culture and justice as fundamental in our work. Taking actions for this to expand in our families and communities, decolonising systems of privilege and taking part in a new cultural journey together.
This Invasion Day my ten-year-old daughter and I plan to go to a dawn smoking ceremony. She's excited and sees it as totally normal to be showing up, listening and experiencing truth-telling and ceremony. (Not your average white Australia Day barbeque celebration!) Later we'll turn up the volume on some fave First Nations music which always helps us feel grounded and connected … nourished to continue this journey!