A List of Resources For Not Celebrating 26 January
- Words by Peppermint
above ARTWORK BY HOLLY MCLENNAN-BROWN OF KOORIE TALES
The 26th of January is a day commemorating formal incursion into Aboriginal lands by colonist invaders, that for some reason (racism, political inertia and racism) is classified as a public holiday in Australia. Only a nationally recognised public holiday since 1994, Aboriginal people have been marching on 26 January since 1938. So whether you call it Invasion Day, Survival Day, Day of Mourning or 26 January, we know you know this is not a date to celebrate.
But what should you do instead? We’ve pulled together a bunch of resources to help you answer that question. There are many ways to effectively and respectfully show support for First Nations communities and call for change. How will you get up, stand up and show up this year?
above 2021 INVASION DAY MARCH BY ALESHA CAROLINA VIA INSTAGRAM/CLOTHING THE GAPS
GO TO A PROTEST
For some, going to a protest on 26 January is as much a tradition as outdated ideas of backyard barbeques. Show up, be counted and lend your voice to support an Aboriginal-led event.
ANTaR publishes a listing of events happening nationwide on 26 January. You can look up what’s going on in your state or territory and then find more information on Google or social media.
If you want to wear your values marching, while also supporting First Nations businesses, here’s a non-exhaustive list of some brands and artists selling ally-friendly merch with meaning to wear year-round.
above CLOTHING THE GAPS’ NAARM STORE BY CATHERINE ELISE
GO TO WORK
While calls have rightfully changed from #ChangeTheDate to #AbolishTheDate as the nation pauses to reflect what it is the public holiday actually “celebrates”, a growing number of Australians are committing to going to work and not taking the public holiday.
Change It Ourselves is a group that supports employees and employers to swap public holiday benefits to a different day. Talk to your employer, check out how your workplace can get involved and be mindful that you are not also turning your mind away from the hard work that must be done on these Stolen Lands for reconciliation.
GET EDUCATED
Take the opportunity to educate yourself and listen to the words of Indigenous writers and thinkers on the problems of 26 January and First Nations history (or send them to those friends and family who may be a bit behind the times).
Anaiwan Writer Nick Harvey-Doyle on Why 26 January Can Never Represent a Day of Unity
Darumbal and South Sea Islander Amy McQuire on What to Tell Kids about Celebrating Invasion
Gamilaroi Man Luke Pearson: Why I No Longer Support #ChangeTheDate
Stan Grant: Racism and the Australian Dream
Take It Blak – Episode 1, January 26
A Short History of the Australian Indigenous Resistance 1950 – 1990
The Jajoo Warrngara: Culture Classroom
STAY EDUCATED
Of course, listening to First Nations peoples isn’t just for January, it’s forever. Keep up to date, no matter the date, by adding these voices to your follow list and acknowledging the diverse views of First Nations people across this continent.
STAY INVOLVED
As Nick Harvey-Doyle says, “For most allies, 26 January is a day to demonstrate active participation in a nationally significant issue. But for First Nations peoples, it is just one day out of a lifetime committed to advocacy.”
The best thing you can do on 26 January is commit to sustained support – being a First Nations ally all year round.
If you’ve got reparation dollars burning a hole in your pocket, you can always put your money where your morals are. Gomeroi woman Amy Thunig has created this excellent list of First Nations-owned businesses to buy from. For more large-scale business end partnerships, Supply Nation is Australia’s leading database of verified Indigenous businesses. And you can always contribute to the Pay The Rent Grassroots Collective.
You can support more targeted First Nations causes and campaigns, whether with your money, your voice or your time as a volunteer. Though it may not always seem like it, the power to change the status quo is in your hands.
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Quick show of hands: who’s opened a water bottle expecting a refreshing sip… and instead been greeted by the unmistakable whiff of uh-oh?
Because for something that follows us everywhere (desk, car, hikes, yoga…), the humble drink bottle is strangely prone to becoming a science experiment. Hard-to-clean corners and gaskets. Mystery smells. Bec Bligh and her husband Tim know it well. A six-month sailing trip along the Queensland coast left them with a lifetime of memories and one stubborn annoyance: mouldy water bottles they couldn’t properly clean.
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Enter @EverVessel. Thoughtfully designed borosilicate glass and stainless steel bottles that keep things beautifully simple: durable materials, wide openings, easy-to-clean parts and none of the techy gimmicks that tend to age badly. Turns out simplicity, done well, is pretty powerful stuff. (Their many design awards agree!)
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Pull up a chair… there’s room at this table!
For the first time, Feast for Freedom is bringing people together for a spectacular long-table dinner as part of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival.
A Longer Table is exactly what it sounds like: one beautiful shared table inside the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (@Asrc1), piled with generous dishes inspired by this year’s hero cooks, Noha and Nige.
From 6 to 9pm on Wednesday, 25 March, this is what you can expect:
🍽 A three-course shared feast
🍷 Matched drinks
🎶 Live entertainment
✨ A room full of good humans
Your ticket doesn’t just buy you a delicious dinner. It supports the ASRC’s vital work and helps create a fairer future for people seeking asylum.
Seats are limited, and long tables have a way of filling up quickly – head to @MelbFoodAndWine’s website to book now: feastforfreedom.org.au/mfwf
#FeastForFreedom #MelbourneFoodAndWineFestival #LongTableDinner #FoodForChange
Sew versatile! 🪡
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This DIY project was featured in Issue 53 and now you can access it for the lovely low price of only $5.
Sun-safe chic is always in style. ☀️
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It’s time to Feast!
Some recipes travel a long way before they land on your table to delight your taste buds. This year’s Feast for Freedom invites us to gather our friends, cook something delectable and raise funds for the incredible work of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (@Asrc1) while we’re at it.
The 2026 Feast features recipes shared by two remarkable cooks: Noha, who brought the flavours of Palestine with her when she arrived in Australia, and Nige, a Sri-Lankan Tamil cook whose journey with food began in the most unexpected of places.
You can host your own Feast up until 30 April – simply register online and get planning! Host a dinner, organise a workplace lunch, or gather your community… However you do it, the idea is simple: cook, connect and celebrate the cultures and stories that shape Australia.
Want to find out more? Head to the link in bio to meet Noha and Nige, learn more about their stories, and discover a delicious recipe to try.
#FeastForFreedom #PeppermintMagazine #FoodForGood #ASRC
