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January 26 DAY OF MOURNING
Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people feel that this day marks the commemoration of a deep loss - loss of their sovereign rights to their land, loss of family, loss of the right to practice their culture. This day is therefore known as 'Invasion Day', 'Day of Mourning' 'Survival Day' or since 2006, 'Aboriginal sovereignty Day'. The name Survival Day emphasises that Aboriginal culture is still strong and that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' identities are positive and alive, despite all that has happened since colonisation.
Somebody's Land Teaching Resources.pdfFebruary 13 NATIONAL APOLOGY DAY
13 February 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd formally apologised to the Stolen Generations. It is marked as a day to acknowledge the wrongs of the past and reflect on how we can progress into the future. The motion was supported by the Opposition and passed through both houses of Parliament. Many members of the Stolen Generations were present in the Chamber to hear the apology and thousands more filled the Great Hall of Parliament House and flowed out onto the lawns to watch it on big screens.
publishers-notes-sorry-day.pdf
March 16 NATIONAL CLOSE THE GAP DAY
Australian First Nations Peoples face serious barriers to accessible and affordable health services. Close the Gap Day highlights the importance of advocating for health equity for Australian First Nations Peoples.
The Close the Gap Campaign aims to close the health and life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation.
statement_intent CLOSE THE GAP.pdfMay 26 NATIONAL SORRY DAY
ULURU STATEMENT FROM THE HEART
Commemorating ‘Sorry Day’ was one of the recommendations of the Bringing Them Home report, which was tabled in Parliament on 26 May 1997. This report was the result of a National Inquiry into the forcible removal of Indigenous children from their families, communities and cultural identity.
Following the First Nations National Constitutional Convention that brought together 250 Indigenous representatives from across the country, the Uluru Statement was issued on May 26 2017.
May 27 to June 3
NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK
National Reconciliation week is the same time each year as it starts on 27th May to mark the successful 1967 Referendum and end on 3rd June to honour Mabo Day. During this week Australian First Nations Peoples shared histories, cultures, achievements and are honoured, on the journey towards reconciliation.
May 27 1967 REFERENDUM ANNIVERSARY
On 27th May 1967 more than 90% of Australian voters chose ‘yes’ to recognise Australia First Nations People in the census and allow the government the power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People to address previous inequalities.
June 3 MABO DAY
On 3rd June 1992 the Australian High court delivered the Mabo decision. The court agreed with Eddie Mabo’s case that terra nullius should not have been applied to Australia.
June 12 BARUNGA STATEMENT
On 12 June 1988, the Barunga Statement was presented to Prime Minister Bob Hawke at the annual Barunga cultural and sporting festival.
"We, the Indigenous owners and occupiers of Australia, call on the Australian Government and people to recognise our rights."
— THE BARUNGA STATEMENT
August 4 NATIONAL ATSI CHILDREN'S DAY
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day celebrates the achievements and cultures of Australia's First Nations children. The date of 4th August is significant as it was the date used to communally celebrate the birthdays of the children from the Stolen Generations.
August 23 ANNIVERSARY OF THE WAVE HILL WALK-OFF
On 23 August 1966, 200 Gurindji stockmen, domestic workers and their families initiated strike action at Wave Hill station in the Northern Territory. Negotiations with the station owners, the international food company Vestey Brothers, broke down, leading to a seven-year dispute.
September 7 INDIGENOUS LITERACY DAY
Indigenous Literacy Day is a national celebration of Indigenous cultures, stories, languages, and literacy.
October 25 ANNIVERSARY OF THE ULURU HANDBACK
The ceremony to handback the title took place at the base of Uluru on 26 October 1985. Hundreds of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people looked on as Governor-General Sir Ninian Stephen passed over the title deeds to Uluru–Kata Tjuta.
https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/uluru-handback-anangu
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