2026-01-26
January 26 is not a date to celebrate; it is a Day of Mourning commemorating 238 years of dispossession, inequality and racism against First Nations peoples that continues to this day.
Here in Western Australia this year is also significant because it marks the 200 year anniversary of colonisation in Kinjarling/Albany down on the South Coast on Menang Noongar boodja.
January 2026 should be a day of reflection that recognises the survival of First Nations people and shares the truth about white Australia’s strong black history.
It should be a chance to experience the oldest living culture in the world, to understand the experiences of First Nations people, including past and ongoing injustices, and encourage healing by coming together to advocate for better outcomes
The Greens (WA) will be proudly attending rallies and events in solidarity with the First Peoples of this country.
Comments attributable to the Greens (WA) Co-spokesperson on First Nations Justice, Jess Beckerling MLC:
“This year marks 200 years on from the invasion and subsequent settlement here in Kinjarling/Albany - a brutal occupation resulting in the violent dispossession of people from their land, culture and language right across Western Australia.
“The fact Australia is the only former British colony that still celebrates its national day on the anniversary of colonisation in the absence of any kind of justice, while First Nations continue to suffer the impact of colonisation on their own land, reflects a deep failure to reckon with reality and a profound disrespect.
“If we have to ignore the First People of this land - people with the longest continuing culture anywhere in the world - to claim that we are unified and cohesive, then those words might be among our shared aspirations, but we are not yet on a path to achieving them.
“January 26 is not a date to celebrate and the Greens (WA) will proudly be joining First Nations in solidarity on this day of mourning. Sovereignty has never been ceded; this always was and always will be Aboriginal land.”
Comments attributable to the Greens (WA) Co-spokesperson on First Nations Justice, Brad Pettitt MLC:
“Three years ago, incoming Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised to embrace the Uluru Statement from the Heart in his election night victory speech.
“Given we are still no closer as a nation to enacting truth, treaty or voice, it is more important than ever this January 26 that we join in solidarity with First Nations and demand that the truth be told about our colonial history.
“Truth-telling is a powerful, and necessary, step for communities to build respect and understanding of First Nations connection to land, sea and sky Country; it is time for the WA Government to act and establish a Truth-Telling commission.
“Only through this process of truth-telling and truth-listening can we take steps towards recognition of our shared history and the more than 65,000 years of culture that preceded it, reconciliation, and ultimately justice.”