There are multiple ways to join together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across these lands now called Australia as we mark January 26th as a Day of Mourning, Survival Day, Invasion Day.
We are listing a number of online and in-person events below as a digest of events.
ONLINE EVENTS:
#ChangeTheHeart
The evening before Jan 26, Wednesday 25 January 2023, 7:30pm AEDT
Aunty Jean Phillips, Senior Aboriginal Christian Leader, is calling our nation to prayer on January 25, the evening before January 26, for the annual #ChangeTheHeart prayer service. This continues the annual call to pray by Aunty Jean, now in its 11th year.
While Common Grace is no longer facilitating the hosting of #ChangeTheHeart services, we are happy to share that #ChangeTheHeart 2023 will be simulcast on TV, radio and online on Wednesday 25 January 2023 at 7:30pm AEDT, 6:30pm AEST, 7pm ACDT, 4:30pm AWST, on GOOD (formerly ACCTV).
Join together with open ears, eyes, minds, and hearts, with prayer, and in diverse unity to #ChangeTheHeart of Australia, as we approach January 26.
Hear the call of Senior Aboriginal Christian leader Aunty Jean Phillips, and join with other Aboriginal Christian Leaders including Brooke Prentis, for this unique, national prayer service - gather together as church and faith communities, with family and friends, or watch by yourself on your mobile device.
Find out more on the website https://changetheheart.com.au, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/changetheheartpray/ or Instagram @change_the_heart
IN-PERSON EVENTS:
Please check/follow Facebook Events and Web pages for full details plus any entry requirements/conditions, and also for details of any last-minute changes or cancellations.
See full details of events and messages from organisers in the Event Details/Discussion posts in links below.
We will be updating this list as further details become available in the lead up to January 26, 2023.
If your location isn't listed, please reach out to your local Aboriginal community for details on any events near you (Aboriginal land councils, community organisations, medical services and Facebook pages are a great place to start.)
ACT
CANBERRA, NGUNNAWAL & NGAMBRI COUNTRY, ACT
Aboriginal Tent Embassy Sovereignty Day
Protest & March, Isabell Coe Memorial Lecture
Thursday, 26 January 2023 at 9:30am AEDT
Protest and march assembling 9:30am Garema Place. Marching to Aboriginal Tent Embassy, King George Terrace, Old Parliament House lawns, Canberra
Hosted by Aboriginal Tent Embassy
Further Resources
Read Common Grace’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Coordinator Bianca Manning’s reflections on gathering at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy for #ChangeTheHeart 2019.
You can read a short history about the Aboriginal Tent Embassy here
NSW
SYDNEY, GADIGAL COUNTRY, NSW
Invasion Day Sydney 2023
From Belmore Park, Sydney CBD
Thursday, 26 January 2023 9:30am - 1:00pm AEDT
Hosts - Fighting In Solidarity Towards Treaties and Justice for David Gungay Jr
Yabun Festival 2023 - Victoria Park, Broadway
Thursday, 26 January 2023 from 10:00am-10:00pm AEDT
Hosted by Yabun Festival
Sydney's premiere one-day festival of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander culture returns to Victoria Park, Broadway on January 26. Presented on Gadigal Land by Koori Radio.
WulgulOra Morning Ceremony, Barangaroo (and streamed online)
Walumil Lawns Barangaroo Reserve, Banrangaroo, 7:30-8:30 AM AEDT. As an ancient Smoking Ceremony cleanses the way for new beginnings, the WugulOra Morning Ceremony celebrates the world’s oldest living culture through dance, music and language.The event will also be broadcast live on ABC TV and streamed on iview.
NEWCASTLE, AWABAKAL COUNTRY, NSW
Day of Mourning - Newcastle - Customs House Hotel Fountain, Foreshore Park
Thursday, 26 January 2022 10:00am - 4:00pm AEDT
Hosted by Justice Aunties
WEST WOLLONGONG, DHARAWAL COUNTRY,NSW
Invasion Day Bushcare - Gilmore Park, West Wollongong
Thursday 26 January, 2023 9:00am - 11:00am AEDT
Hosted by Clementina Velasco and Gilmore Park Bushcare
VIC
MELBOURNE, WURUNDJERI COUNTRY, VIC
Survival Day March/Rally
Thursday 26th January, Tarntanyangga Victoria Square, 12pm - 4:30pm AEDT
Balit Nurran - Share the Spirit Festival 2023
Sidney Myer Music Bowl: 2:00 - 9:00 PM AEDT. Presented by Songlines Aboriginal Music Organisation in partnership with Arts Centre Melbourne. It celebrates the survival of Australia’s First Nations people with live music and art from the Aboriginal arts community.
MORNINGTON PENINSULA, BOONWURRUNG COUNTRY, VIC
Our Survival Day - Reconnection
The Briars, 450 Nepean Highway, Mount Martha, Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne
Thursday, 26 January 2023 AT 12:00pm - 8:00pm AEDT
Hosted by Our Survival Day
BALLARAT, WADAWURRUNG COUNTRY, VIC
Survival Day Dawn Ceremony 2023
Thursday, 26 January 2023 from 5.30am AEDT
Wadawurrung Country. Viewpoint, Lake Wendouree, BALLARAT (opposite Lake View)
Hosted by Ballarat Koorie Engagement Action Group - KEAG
For those unable to attend or wanting to watch from home, the event will again be live streamed - link below:
BELGRAVE, WURUNDJERI COUNTRY, VIC
Belgrave Survival Day 2023
Borthwick Park: 12:00 - 5:00 PM AEDT. Celebrating their 15th anniversary featuring performances by Dave Arden and band, Pirritu, Yeng Gali Mullum, Deniece Hudson and more.
QLD
BRISBANE/MEANJIN, YUGGERA & TOORBUL COUNTRY, QLD
Invasion Day Rally
Thursday January 26th 2023, from 10:00am
Queens Gardens, 144 George St, Brisbane
TOWNSVILLE, BINDAL COUNTRY, QLD
Survival Day
SA
ADELAIDE, KAURNA COUNTRY, SA
Smoking Ceremony 2023
Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama: 8:00 AM ACDT. The ceremony will feature a speech by Kaurna Elder Rosemary Kudnarto Wanganeen, a performance by renowned singer and musician Nancy Bates and the unveiling of a stunning Sand Painting created by First Nations artist Derik Lynch in collaboration with Kaurna elder Frank Wanganeen. (Free entry. Bookings essential)
Survival Day 2023
Tarndanyangga, Victoria Square, Adelaide, South Side near the Old Fountain
Thursday, 26 January 2023 at 12:00 - 4:00 PM ACDT.
Hosted by Natasha Wangasx Wanganeen. Standing in solidarity with the Aboriginal Tent Embassy 50th Anniversary.
Aus Lights on the River
Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama: from 5:30pm ACDT. Immersion of sound, light and vision to explore connection to nature and belonging to Country. Story telling, dancing, projections of artworks, detailed depictions of animals and reflections of Country being shared both orally and visually.
Tindo Utpurndee Sunset Ceremony
Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama, 8:00 PM ADT. As the sun begins to fall on the evening of the 25 January 2023, they invite you to Tindo Utpurndee – Sunset Ceremony in Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama to witness, recognise and listen to the voices of recovery from First Nations’ Peoples.
WA
PERTH, WHADJUK COUNTY, NYOONGAR PEOPLE, WA
Perth Invasion Day 2023
Forrest Chase, CBD, Boorloo/Perth
Thursday, 26 January 2023, 12:00pm AWST
Hosted by Marianne Yoorgabilya Mackay and Megan Krakouer
Details being finalised as to speakers and entertainment.
Birak Concert 2023
Supreme Court Gardens, Cnr Barrack Street & Riverside Drive, Perth
Thursday 26 January from 3pm-7.30pm AWST
Hosted by City of Perth
Celebrated through a range of music, dance and art, the Birak Concert is Western Australia’s premier celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and is the centrepiece of the City of Perth’s Australia Day program. In celebration of the First Summer, the 2023 Birak Concert features a stellar stage program consisting entirely of WA talent, including a traditional Welcome to Country and headline acts by Red Ochre Band, Pipeline and Phil Walleystack. Free event.
TAS
NIPALUNA/HOBART, TAS
Invasion Day Rally 2023, Nipaluna
Thursday, 26 January 2023 from 10.45am AEDT
Hosted by Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre
OYSTER COVE/PUTALINA, TAS
Putalina Festival 2023
Saturday, 14 January 2023 from 11:00am - 4:00pm AEDT
Hosted by Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre
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FURTHER WAYS TO ENGAGE ON JANUARY 26 - COMMON GRACE
Commit to taking a stand for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice by sharing a photo of your feet on country and sharing an Acknowledgement of Country on social media here.
Wondering what else you can do on Jan 26? Explore further ways to engage in January 26th here.
Church Resources available here.