As Australians across the world gathered to celebrate their national day on January 26, many others took to the streets to protest what has come to be known as “Invasion Day” or “a day of mourning” for First Nations people.

January 26 has been recognized as Australia’s national day since 1935, but for Indigenous Australians, it marks the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, when British ships landed at Sydney’s Botany Bay and planted the Union Jack—despite the continent being home to thriving Indigenous communities for over 40,000 years. While many Australians see this as a day of patriotism, for First Nations people, it symbolizes the beginning of colonization, dispossession, and the violent loss of land and culture.

Growing Protests and Calls for Change

For years, protests against Australia Day celebrations have gained momentum, with increasing calls to either change the date or reframe January 26 as a day of national reflection and commemoration.

“This movement is growing every year, with more people standing up and saying they want change,” said an attendee at a Brisbane rally.

“I come out every year because it’s important to remember this country’s dark history,” another protester added.

While January 26 remains a painful reminder for many Indigenous Australians, there is also a growing effort to channel this emotion into cultural celebration and remembrance. By sharing their history, traditions, and art, First Nations communities are fostering unity and creating space for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to reflect, connect, and commemorate together.

A Call for National Maturity

In 2024, Brooke Prentis, a descendant of the Wakka Wakka people and an Aboriginal Christian leader, attended a large rally in Brisbane. Despite her stance on the holiday’s significance, she emphasized that she holds no resentment toward those who celebrate it.

“I love the lamington, I love the barbie, I love the lamb chop,” Prentis said, referencing traditional Australia Day foods and activities. “But this date should be recognized as a day of mourning so that we can grow as a nation.”

“I’m not telling anyone how to spend Australia Day,” she added. “But maybe just take a moment to think about First Nations people.”

Celebrating Survival: Yabun Festival

In Sydney, Indigenous communities gathered for Survival Day at the Yabun Festival—a cultural event honoring First Nations heritage through music, dance, and storytelling. ‘Yabun,’ which means “music to a beat” in Gadigal, was first a small-scale gathering but has since grown into one of Australia’s largest one-day Indigenous festivals. In 2025, it drew 60,000 attendees across Sydney.

Renowned Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung musician Troy Cassar-Daley has performed at the Yabun Festival for eight years.

“When I play at this festival, I feel the weight of history on one hand, but also a ray of light on the other,” he said.

Cassar-Daley reflected on how the event allows him to perform on a day he never celebrated as a child, emphasizing the power of music in bringing people together.

“Playing on this date, for me, is a celebration of survival—of still being here, of still having a voice. And that’s what Yabun is all about.”

“When I see people gathering in this beautiful park in Sydney, it gives me hope. Hope that we can come together, that we can respect different perspectives without anger,” he added.

“It’s a celebration of resilience. A tribute to the people who have endured, who have stuck together through hardship, and who continue to move forward despite adversity.”