Ever since Captain James Cook claimed Australia on behalf of Britain on 26 January 1788, people came to talk about it as the beginning of European settlement of Australia. Today however, historians would describe the event as an invasion.
On the 26th of January 1938, many Australians celebrated the 150th anniversary of the British arrival, however, they did not think about what the event meant for the Aboriginals. For the Indigenous people, January 26 1938, was a day to mourn for the losses that had endured for the last 150 years since the British took control of their land.
On the 26th of January 1938, many Australians celebrated the 150th anniversary of the British arrival, however, they did not think about what the event meant for the Aboriginals. For the Indigenous people, January 26 1938, was a day to mourn for the losses that had endured for the last 150 years since the British took control of their land.
History
From the European settlement in 1788 onwards, The British created on land that Aboriginals previously used and owned. Over time, the British slowly took more control and more and more land without giving the Aboriginals a single thought. The Aboriginals lost control to sources of food and water that they had once been able to have freely. They had initially started off fighting for their rights but had soon lost hope and effort. Aboriginals soon found themselves living in a world full of white skinned, superior people.
From the mid nineteenth century onwards, Australian governments started the 'protection' rule where they segregated the Aboriginals from Australians. The Australians then started controlling the Aboriginals by:
- deciding where they lived and worked
- limiting their wages
- forbidding them to practise their traditions
-taking their children
-limiting their access to education
From the European settlement in 1788 onwards, The British created on land that Aboriginals previously used and owned. Over time, the British slowly took more control and more and more land without giving the Aboriginals a single thought. The Aboriginals lost control to sources of food and water that they had once been able to have freely. They had initially started off fighting for their rights but had soon lost hope and effort. Aboriginals soon found themselves living in a world full of white skinned, superior people.
From the mid nineteenth century onwards, Australian governments started the 'protection' rule where they segregated the Aboriginals from Australians. The Australians then started controlling the Aboriginals by:
- deciding where they lived and worked
- limiting their wages
- forbidding them to practise their traditions
-taking their children
-limiting their access to education
The Day Of Mourning and Protest, 26 January 1938
On this day, William Cooper, Secretary of the Australian Aborigines League, William Ferguson, founder of Aborigines Progressive Association, and John (Jack) Patten, its president, decided to bring the Aboriginal people together. They were involved in campaigns requesting: - Representation in federal government - Federal government involvement in Aboriginal issues through the creation of a Department of Native Affairs - Creation of state councils to advise on Aboriginal affairs - reform of the NSW Aborigines Protection Board. The day of the mourning and protest began with a protest march from Sydney Town Hall to the Australian Hall. It was here that 1000 people (forced to enter from the back door) listened to speakers, putting forward their views on the key issue. They all voted unanimously to demand 'a new policy which will raise people to full citizen status and equality within the community'. On the 26th of January 1938, the protest and day of mourning did not achieve it's main goals, however what it did achieve was:
- Unite the Aboriginals in a formal gathering demanding civil rights - Make Australians think about whether January 26th was an appropriate day for national celebration. The Aboriginals call it 'Invasion Day' or 'Survival Day' |
"We, representing the Aborigines of Australia, assembled in conference at the Australian Hall, Sydney, on the 26th day of January, 1938, this being the 150th Anniversary of the Whiteman's seizure of our country, hereby make protest against the callous treatment of our people by the whitemen during the past 150 years, and we appeal to the Australian nation of today to make new laws for the education and care of Aborigines, we ask for a new policy which will raise our people to full citizen status and equality within the community. "
- President John (Jack) Patten
- President John (Jack) Patten
Sources
- Retroactive 10 Australian Curriculum for History book by Maureen Anderson, Ian Keese, Anne Low and Brian Hoepper
- http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/collections/exhibitions/dayofmourning/26jan.html
- Retroactive 10 Australian Curriculum for History book by Maureen Anderson, Ian Keese, Anne Low and Brian Hoepper
- http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/collections/exhibitions/dayofmourning/26jan.html