It’s one of those calendar dates that come with family traditions, memories of the past good and bad. Educators are often torn about this day; how can we celebrate this at our service so that it is an inclusive day while paying respect and acknowledging our First Nations Peoples at the same time.
We just want to take a few minutes of your time to discuss this concept in hope that it will present a different perspective that will involve change in practice.
In our Raindrops of Diversity framework, we use a metaphor of Clear Water and Cloudy Water Yarning which is our critical reflection tool to unpack cultural perspectives within your curriculum by your experiences.
Some Educators prefer the clear water vases because it makes them feel safe and inviting and any danger can be easier seen.
The cloudy water base is the opposite, feelings of uncertainty because it is more difficult to see danger and plan for the unknown.
Looking at the vases, if celebrating Australia Day at your service is challenging, you may find yourself in the cloudy water vase.
What do we need to do to move towards the Clear Water vase to provide a more inclusive Australia Day, that is safer and respectful to all. To try a new approach, we require a shift in mindset by learning new knowledge or skills.
At what expense is it to not do anything at all on Australia Day?
As Professional Educators what is the message we want to send to our children?
Is it not important to teach our children that grow up in Australia today, an appreciation and respect for the diversity of cultures, races and ethnicities that surround them?
Leading up to Australia Day, taking your first step out of cloudy water into clear water may require you to have courage and to do some research at your service.
Below are some reflective questions or prompts to look more deeply in regard to Australia Day.
Why does it seem to be easier to celebrate National Reconciliation Week then it is Australia Day?
Have professional conversations with your Educators and ask families what Australia Day means for them.
What events are happening in your local community or could be watched on TV or youtube that can be shared with children to commemorate Australia Day?
How will your service pay homage to our First Nations Peoples on this day when they might feel that there is little to celebrate as it marks the beginning of a long and brutal colonisation placed on our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples? 26th January commemorates a deep loss of sovereign rights to their land, loss of family and loss of the rights to practice their culture.
If we don’t celebrate Australia day at all, what is the true message we are giving our children? Are we promoting subconsciously that we live in a perfect world?
Australia’s history books have been distorted for a long time now and not just from First Nations Peoples real life experiences and perspectives.
Did you know there is evidence found that Spanish fleets arrived and traded with our First Nations Peoples way before the first arrival of Lieutenant James Cooks sailed into our waters? Torres Strait is named after a Spanish captain, Torres in 1606. During the 17th Century, Dutch navigators chartered our waters and called our continent “New Holland."
Is it possible to use Australia Day to start truth telling at age-appropriate yarning about the impacts on our First Nations Peoples since colonisation? After all, if it was not for the First Nations Peoples caring for their Country for over 60,000 years, we would not have this beautiful land and waterway today.
Could it be the word "celebrate" that is used frequently? “Let’s Celebrate Australia Day” can cause harm and hurt to some of our First Nations Peoples. Can it be replaced with another word that is more in tune with paying respectful homage to our First Nations peoples and the many other cultures that are woven into many societies?
Is it possible to celebrate and make this day inclusive of everyone's viewpoints while being respectful to all? After all, there is a movement to be inclusive of all in early childhood services to change Merry Christmas to Happy End of the Year Break.
It is ok for First Nations Peoples to look at Australia Day differently? Don't be surprised that you will find a diverse range of perspectives amongst our First Nations Peoples too. As one size or one view does not fit everyone.
In a meaningful and purposeful way, no matter what walk of life you come from, we all walk beside First Nation Peoples as they are Australian too.
Let us acknowledge how colonisation has impacted on your country, lives and cultures and pay sincere respects that First Nations Peoples footprints were here long before ours and way before the name Australia ever came about.
Australia is a very multicultural society in the world. Is Australia Day more about acknowledging the past? To move into the future, we need to know the past wrongs and successes, while paying respectful homage to the vibrant and multicultural country that we are.
What a privilege it is to have the world’s oldest continuous cultures – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures – Peoples and Cultures who cared for this land and these waterways so that today we have this amazing place that we all call home.
We will close this blog with
Colours of Australia (song) by the Australian Human Rights Commission. (2016).
