An opportunity to educate

“Let’s walk hand in hand. Let’s not be ignorant and point fingers at each other; let’s educate each other about what we can do to move forward” – Aunty Anne Nikkelson, left

AWotjobaluk elder says January 26 is an opportunity to walk hand-in-hand and foster education, awareness and acceptance.

Aunty Anne Nikkelson presented a welcome to country at Horsham’s Australia Day event on Thursday on behalf of Traditional Owners and Barengi Gadjin Land Council.

On a day that continues to rouse divided sentiment about its appropriateness for a national celebration, both within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the broader community, Aunty Anne said she viewed it as an education opportunity.

Aunty Anne is Stolen Generation Repatriation advisory committee chair, and a fellow Stolen Generation victim.

She said her childhood was a difficult time and she had carried anger and negativity.

Now, she said, she used her life experiences to educate others.

“It is hard for me, this particular day – simply because I understand what my mother went through; what my parents and my siblings went through and myself. It was horrific,” she said of January 26.

“But I want to move forward. We can educate the community as to the horrors. You can’t take it back, but you can’t bury it either. Let’s all move forward together.

“Acknowledge our hurt and pain and work with us to acknowledge us as a people.”

Aunty Anne said while she supported calls to change the date of Australia Day, she acknowledged differing opinions.

She encouraged people to have genuine conversations and become an ally, to change the narrative.

“Let’s walk hand in hand. Let’s not be ignorant and point fingers at each other; let’s educate each other about what we can do to move forward,” she said.

“It’s up to us to educate others as to why we feel so passionate about moving that date – because the struggle is real.”

Aunty Anne taught people at the Horsham event the Wergaia word ‘Dalk, which means hello. As she learns language herself, she is proud to pass it onto her children and grandchildren.

“Sovereignty was never ceded and it always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land,” she said.

“We are all Australian – with Aboriginal roots.”

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures have always had protocols for welcoming visitors to country. Land boundaries were clear and crossing into another group’s country required permission.

Once permission was granted, the hosting group would welcome the visitors and offer them safe passage and protection of their spiritual being.

Visitors had to respect the protocols and roles of the hosting group while on their country.

Today, Traditional Owners, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have permission from Traditional Owners, deliver a welcome to country. It occurs at the start of an event or meeting.

An acknowledgement of country is a chance for anyone to show respect for Traditional Owners.

January 26, 1788 marks the day the British flag was hoisted at Sydney Cove.

The concept of ‘Australia Day’ was initially raised in 1915 as a fundraiser for the war effort. It was held in July.

In 1935, all Australian states were celebrating a national day, known as different names in different states. On the 150th anniversary in 1938, it was celebrated nationally; but it also saw First Nations people declare the date a ‘day of mourning’.

The federal and state governments unified state-based Australia Day celebrations in 1946 and celebrated it on January 26 as a country, with a public holiday taken on the closest Monday.

January 26 became a public holiday in every Australian state and territory in 1994.