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For some, going to a protest on 26 January is as much a tradition as outdated ideas of backyard barbeques.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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Look, I don’t want to make anyone panic but IT’S DECEMBER!!! If you’re planning to give homemade gifts, you’re going to have to act fast. …
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🌻 The Paddington 🌻
This is a much-loved staple, created for Issue 50 in 2021. We love seeing the #PeppermintPaddingtonTop continually popping up in our feeds!
How stunning is our model Elon MelaninGoddessEfon – she told us it was one of the first times she had been asked to come to a shoot with her natural hair. 🌻
We worked with South African patternmaker Sarah Steenkamp of @FrenchNavyNow_ to create this wardrobe essential – the perfect puff-sleeve blouse. Raglan sleeves make it the ultimate beginner sew, plus the gorgeous back buttons let you add your own personal twist.
Pattern via the link in bio! 🪡
Photos: @KelleySheenan
Fabric: @Spoonflower
Model: MelaninGoddessEfon
“In the 1940’s, Norwegians made and wore red pointed hats with a tassel as a form of visual protest against Nazi occupation of their country. Within two years, the Nazis made these protest hats illegal and punishable by law to wear, make, or distribute. As purveyors of traditional craft, we felt it appropriate to revisit this design.”
Crafters have often been at the heart of many protest movements, often serving as a powerful means of political expression. @NeedleAndSkein, a yarn store in Minnesota, are helping to mobilise the craftivists of the world with a ‘Melt The Ice’ knitting pattern created by @Yarn_Cult (with a crochet pattern too), as a way of peaceful protest.
The proceeds from the $5 pattern will go to local immigrant aid organisations – or you can donate without buying the pattern.
Raise those needles, folks – art and craft can change the world. 🧶
Link in bio for the pattern.
Images: @Gather_Fiber @NeedleAndSkein @a2ina2 @KyraGiggles Sandi.204 @WhatTracyMakes AllieKnitsAway Auntabwi2
#MeltTheIce #Craftivism #Knitting #CraftForChange
TWO WEEKS TO GO! 🤩
"The most important shift is moving from volume-led buying to value-led curation – choosing fewer, better products with strong ethics, considered production and meaningful stories. Retailers have real influence here: what you buy signals what you stand for. At Life Instyle, this means using the event to discover and invest in small-scale, planet-considerate brands that align with your values and your customer’s conscience. Consumers don’t need more things; they need better things, and retailers play a key role in selecting, contextualising, and championing why those products matter."
Only two more weeks until @Life_Instyle – Australia`s leading boutique retail trade show. If you own a store, don`t miss this event! Connect with designers, source exquisite – and mindful – products, and see firsthand why this is Australia’s go-to trade show for creatives and retailers alike. And it`s free! ✨️
Life Instyle – Sydney/Eora Country
14-17 February 2026
ICC, Darling Harbour
Photos: @Samsette
#LifeInstyle #SustainableShopping #SustainableShop #RetailTradeEvent
Calling all sewists! 📞
Have you made the Peppermint Waratah Wrap Dress yet? Call *1800 I NEED THIS NOW to get making!
This gorgeous green number was modelled (and made) by the fabulous Lisa of @Tricky.Pockets 🙌🏼
If you need a nudge, @ePrintOnline are offering Peppermint sewists a huge 🌟 30% off ALL A0 printing 🌟 when you purchase the Special Release Waratah Wrap Dress pattern – how generous is that?!
Head to the link in bio now 📞
*Not a real number in case that wasn`t clear 😂
#PeppermintWaratahWrapDress #PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #WrapDress #WrapDressPattern
8 Things to Know About January 26 - from @ClothingTheGaps:
Before you celebrate, take the time to learn the truth. January 26 is not a day of unity it’s a Day of Mourning and Survival for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It marks the beginning of invasion, dispossession, and ongoing colonial violence. It’s time for truth-telling, not whitewashed history.
Stand in solidarity. Learn. Reflect. Act.
✊🏽 Blog written by Yorta Yorta woman Taneshia Atkinson.
🔗 Link in bio of @ClothingTheGaps to read the full blog
#ChangeTheDate #InvasionDay #SurvivalDay #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe #ClothingTheGaps
As the world careens towards AI seeping into our feeds, finds and even friend-zones, it`s becoming increasingly hard to ignore.
We just wanted to say that here at Peppermint, we are choosing to not print or publish AI-generated art, photos, words, videos or content.
Merriam-Webster’s human editors chose `slop` as the 2025 Word of the Year – they define it as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” The problem is, as AI increases in quality, it`s becoming more and more difficult to ascertain what`s real and what`s not.
Let`s be clear here, AI absolutely has its place in science, in climate modelling, in medical breakthroughs, in many places... but not in replacing the work of artists, writers and creatives.
Can we guarantee that everything we publish is AI-free? Honestly, not really. We know we are not using it to create content, but we are also relying on the artists, makers and contributors we work with, as well as our advertisers, to supply imagery, artwork or words created by humans. AI features are also creeping into programs and apps too, making it difficult to navigate. But we will do our best to avoid it and make a stand for the artists and creatives who have had their work stolen and used to train AI machines, and those who are now losing work as they are replaced by this energy-sapping, environment-destroying magic wand.
Could using it help our productivity and bottom line? Sure. And as a small business in a difficult landscape, that`s a hard one to turn down. We know other publishers who use AI to write stories, create recipes, produce photo shoots... but this one is important to us.
`Touch grass` was also a Merriam-Webster Word of the Year. We`ll happily stick with that as a theme, thanks very much. 🌿
