The Complexity of Australia Day: A Journey of Reconciliation

As Australians, we are all here, woven into this country. As part of our reconciliation journey, there are truths to tell, stories to celebrate, and relationships to grow. Reconciliation is at the heart of our nation’s future, and Australia Day presents an opportunity to reflect on our shared history and the path forward.

Australia remains the only former British colony to celebrate its national day on the anniversary that colonisation commenced. This date, January 26, marks the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, a moment that began the dispossession of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. For many First Nations people, this day is not one of celebration but of sorrow—a reminder of invasion, loss, and the ongoing impacts of colonisation.

As a nation, we stand alone in marking our national day on a date that divides us. It is a day that highlights the complexities of our history and the need for truth-telling and reconciliation.

Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine has called on all Australians to reflect on what we are truly celebrating on January 26. She urges us to re-evaluate what we want our national day to represent and how we can create a better, more inclusive country.

“It is critical that we all take time to re-evaluate what we want our national day to represent and how we can create a better country, one that all Australians, including First Nations people, are proud to celebrate,” she said.

Across the country, many Australians are joining First Nations people in commemorating Survival Day, attending marches, concerts, festivals, and church services. These events are a testament to the growing mood for change and the desire for a more united and reconciled Australia.

The journey of reconciliation is one of truth-telling. As highlighted in the video "Reconciliation in Australia - Our History, Our Story, Our Future", our nation’s story has many gaps—chapters left untold, silenced in classrooms, and missing from public discourse. These untold stories carry the burden of trauma for some, while others remain shielded by historical blind spots.

But reconciliation is also about celebrating the stories of courage, innovation, and triumph that make up our shared history. It is about acknowledging the richness of our diversity and the strength we find in unity.

As the video reminds us:

"The common ground we have is that we are all here—woven into this country in this moment in time. So let's make history we can all be proud of."

A Progressive Christian Perspective

From a progressive Christianity perspective, Australia Day is an opportunity to embody the values of justice, compassion, and reconciliation. It is a time to listen to the voices of First Nations people, to acknowledge the pain of the past, and to commit to building a future that honors the dignity and humanity of all Australians.

As Christians, we are called to walk alongside those who suffer, to seek truth, and to work for justice. This means engaging in the hard conversations, participating in truth-telling, and advocating for change.

A Song and a Prayer

As you reflect on the complexities of Australia Day, I encourage you to listen to the song "Sister, Why Do you Weep?" by Helen Wright, featuring Lynnette Wanganeen. The song, with its hauntingly beautiful lyrics, captures the deep sorrow and hope of First Nations people. Meditate on these words:

Sister, why do you weep?
I weep for my people
I weep for my land
I weep for my song

A cry goes out across the land: We're broken.

This song is a powerful reminder of the pain carried by First Nations people and the need for healing and reconciliation. It invites us to sit with the discomfort of our history and to commit to a future of justice and unity.

Let us also turn to prayer:

A Prayer for Reconciliation
God of justice and truth,
We come before you as a nation seeking healing and unity.
We acknowledge the pain and suffering of First Nations people, the custodians of this land for tens of thousands of years.
We confess the sins of the past and the ongoing injustices that divide us.
Grant us the courage to face the truth, to listen with open hearts, and to walk the path of reconciliation.
May we honor the stories of the past, celebrate the diversity of the present, and work together for a future of justice and peace.
Guide us to be a nation where all people are valued, where ancient cultures are celebrated, and where unity is found in our shared humanity.
In the name of Christ, who calls us to love and justice, we pray. Amen.

Moving Forward Together

As we approach January 26, let us reflect on what it means to be Australian. Let us commit to truth-telling, to listening, and to building a nation that we can all be proud of—a nation that honours its First Peoples and celebrates the richness of its diversity. Together, we can write the next chapter of our story—a story of reconciliation, unity, and hope.