Key Takeaways
- Australia’s national day, January 26, is a day of grief and remembrance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, marking the beginning of invasion and dispossession.
- The day is increasingly causing discomfort for non-Indigenous Australians, who are struggling to reconcile pride in their country with sorrow for its past.
- The reluctance to confront social fracture and difficult conversations is a national failure, and progress can only be made through listening, respect, and a willingness to acknowledge harm.
- The concept of dadirri, or deep listening, can help Australians move forward and learn from the past.
- A national day should reflect values of belonging, truth, care, and shared responsibility, and make room for the full story of the country and all its people.
Introduction to the Complexity of January 26
January 26, Australia’s national day, is a day of deep complexity and controversy. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it marks the beginning of invasion and the ongoing impacts of dispossession, making it a day of grief and remembrance. The recent tragedy on one of Australia’s most iconic beaches has once again brought to the forefront the issue of violence and social cohesion, highlighting the devastating cost of unresolved fracture. As the nation grapples with these issues, it is clear that the unease and discomfort surrounding January 26 are not just limited to Indigenous Australians, but are increasingly being felt by non-Indigenous Australians as well.
The Changing Landscape of January 26
The discomfort surrounding January 26 is no longer carried solely by First Nations peoples. Many non-Indigenous Australians, including long-standing allies of Indigenous communities, are struggling to reconcile their pride in their country with sorrow for its past. This shift in perspective is significant, as it acknowledges that the harm caused by the invasion and dispossession of Indigenous peoples is not just a historical event, but an ongoing reality that continues to shape the lives of Indigenous Australians today. The fact that January 26 causes real hurt and division in the community is not something that can be dismissed as mere inconvenience or political noise, but rather it is a question of belonging and identity.
The Reluctance to Confront Social Fracture
The reluctance to confront social fracture and difficult conversations is a national failure that has been exposed by the recent events. This instinct to avoid is not new, and it is often seen in response to conversations that threaten comfort or identity. However, progress can only be made through listening, respect, and a willingness to acknowledge harm. Shame, blame, and guilt are not effective ways to move forward, as they shut people down, entrench defensiveness, and paralyze action. Instead, First Nations peoples have offered an invitation to come and sit with them, to listen, and to learn, which is grounded in the belief that everyone belongs to the country, but belonging comes with responsibility.
The Power of Dadirri
One of the oldest teachings of Indigenous Australians is dadirri, or deep listening. Dadirri is not about winning arguments or proving who is right, but rather about stillness, patience, and respect. It asks us to slow down, to listen with our whole bodies, and to sit with discomfort without rushing to dismiss or fix it. Australia could learn a great deal from dadirri, particularly in a time when the country is becoming louder and more polarized. Positions are hardening quickly, and people are retreating into camps, making it difficult to have meaningful conversations. Listening is often mistaken for weakness, and curiosity feels risky, but it is precisely this kind of listening that is needed to move forward.
Rethinking Australia Day
The question of what values a national day should reflect is a critical one. A national day should not require some people to silence their pain so others can feel comfortable. Instead, it should make room for the full story of the country and for everyone who belongs to it. The values of belonging, truth, care, and shared responsibility should be at the forefront of any national day. This is not about finding a new date, but rather about acknowledging harm and listening to the stories of all Australians. After recent events, Australians are asking what holds them together when fear threatens to pull them apart. January 26 asks the same question in a different way, and the answer lies in choosing listening over avoidance.
Conclusion and the Path Forward
This country is capable of holding grief and pride at the same time. Australians can honour survival without celebrating suffering, and they can acknowledge the past without being trapped by it. By learning from the oldest continuing cultures in the world, Australians can learn how to listen more deeply and move forward. The path forward is not an easy one, but it is a necessary one. It requires a willingness to confront difficult conversations, to listen with respect, and to acknowledge harm. Only then can real healing begin, and only then can Australians truly come together as a nation.
