Australia day or Invasion Day?

Australia Day (« le jour de l'Australie ») est la fête nationale australienne. Elle est célébrée chaque année le 26 janvier et commémore la création de la première colonie britannique sur le continent australien, qui était la fondation d'un bagne à Sydney Cove sur le Port Jackson en Nouvelle-Galles du Sud en 1788 par le capitaine Arthur Phillip en sa qualité de premier gouverneur de Nouvelle-Galles du Sud.

Mais pour les aborigènes, Australia Day, c'est Invasion Day, le jour ou l'on commémore le début de la colonisation britannique et la destruction de leur culture et de leur terre. Moi perso, je préfère le 14 juillet, jour ou le peuple s'est soulevé et a parlé d'une seule voix pour plus de justice et d'égalité comme symbole de mon pays

Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. Celebrated annually on 26 January, the day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, marking the start of British colonisation of Australia.

Some Indigenous Australians see Australia Day as a celebration of the destruction of Indigenous culture by British colonialism. Since 1988, 'Invasion Day' protests have been held supporting this view.





Aboriginals want Oz Day date changed

The NSW Aboriginal Land Council has joined calls for the date of Australia Day to be changed, saying that for many indigenous people January 26 is considered to be "Invasion day".

January 26 marks the anniversary of the establishment of the first permanent European settlement in Australia in 1788.

But many indigenous people regard Australia Day as marking the commencement of the white invasion of Aboriginal land.

Settling on an alternative date would be a significant step towards truly reconciling Australia, NSW Aboriginal Land Council chairwoman Bev Manton said on Friday.

"Australia is still very much the lucky country," Ms Manton said in a statement.

"But until we settle on an alternative date for Australia Day ... Aboriginal people will always feel excluded given their strong feelings that January 26 was invasion day, the beginning of the philosophy of terra nullius - an unoccupied Australia.

"As the first Australians, we certainly believe it is entirely inappropriate to celebrate the arrival of the First Fleet as Australia Day."

Ms Manton called on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to deliver on his pre-election promise and implement the recommendations made by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, including a date change.

"I believe now is the time to again raise this issue," she said.

"I call on the prime minister to initiate this debate in his first report to federal parliament next month on the steps taken by his government to close the gap between Aboriginal Australians and their fellow Australians.