We invite you to join together as we pause to reflect and acknowledge January 26, in lament, prayer and action for justice.
Join together with Christians across these lands taking action to learn, pray, acknowledge and walk together in friendship for healing and justice on January 26, 2025.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, January 26 is known as a day of mourning, invasion and survival. As Senior Aboriginal Christian Leader Uncle Pastor Dr Ray Minniecon reflects:
“On January 26, the whole nation pauses to celebrate, reflect, and remember that Captain Arthur Phillip, sailed into what is now known as Sydney Cove with eleven shiploads of convicts, to establish a penal colony, hoist the British flag at Sydney Cove, and claim possession over these lands on behalf of the British Empire.
For Australia’s First Peoples, there is a completely different narrative. This day and date signify a “Day of Mourning.” “Survival Day.” “Sovereignty Day.” It represents the disruption and dispossession of First Nations history and cultural connections to their lands, language and heritage. This day and date confront and remind First Nations Peoples about their loss and ongoing suffering and trauma and struggle for justice, dignity and basic human rights.”
Watch our conversation with Uncle Ray Minniecon reflecting on the very first Bible passage and sermon ever given on Aboriginal land, filmed for Common Grace's Aboriginal Sunday Church Resources 2024. Watch this conversation below:
As the movement of Common Grace, we are committed to being led by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Leaders, walking the ongoing journey together pursuing Jesus, justice, and the flourishing of First Nations peoples We invite you to take time on January 26 to pause, to reflect, to lament, to learn more, to pray and to act in solidarity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice.
Explore ideas below as together we are led by Aboriginal Christian Leaders to mark January 26, 2025.
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Acknowledge
Share a photo of your feet on Country alongside an Acknowledgement of Country on social media
On January 26, commit to walking together with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters by sharing a photo of your feet on Country with our online tool here and as a social media post or story. Share alongside an Acknowledgement of Country and tag @commongraceaus
Suggested wording for your Acknowledgment of Country:
Today, on this day of mourning, invasion and survival, I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians on whose land I stand and pay my respects to the Elders past, present, and future. I commit to walking together in solidarity, friendship and defiant hope for truth, justice and healing. @commongraceaus
Talk about this action and invite others to take part on January 26.
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Stand in Solidarity
Stand in solidarity by attending a First Nations led rally or event in your local area
There are many opportunities to join together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across these lands as we mark January 26 as a Day of Mourning, Survival Day, Invasion Day. Find out about events being held locally and invite your friends, family and church community to attend with you in solidarity.
Search events happening in your local community or explore a range of events listed on the ANATR website here.
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Pray
Pray for justice, healing and true reconciliation in these lands
Spend time in prayer for justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Pray that we may walk together in friendship to pursue justice, healing and the flourishing of all people and all creation. We have a range of prayer resources for Aboriginal justice here.
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Donate
Help fuel Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice and donate to support a new role in the Common Grace team.
We need your help to continue pursuing justice, healing and flourishing of First Nations peoples. When you give today you will help fund a part-time role for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Christian to join the Common Grace team, and help support the movement to pursue truth, reconciliation and flourishing for all peoples and all creation.
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Go Deeper
In the journey of walking together for healing and justice in these lands, there are times when hope is something we have to courageously dare to believe and cling to. We invite you to take time to watch and reflect on our 2025 Aboriginal Sunday video resources, and message from our Aboriginal Christian Leaders reflecting on the theme of ‘defiant hope’.
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Keep on the Journey
Commit to learning more and participating in taking action for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice in 2025.
In the lead up to the 2025 federal election Common Grace is calling our movement to join in action to meet with our federal representatives and candidates and call for a safe, free and flourishing future for all. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice this includes pursuing a more compassionate, evidence-based approach to youth justice, including Raising the Age of criminal responsibility from 10 years old to at least 14. Find out more and sign up to join in action.
Mark National Sorry Day May 26, National Reconciliation Week 27 May - 3 June, and NAIDOC Week 6 - 13 July in your 2025 calendar. Common Grace produces a range of resources to help you in learning more, listening to Aboriginal Christian Leaders, and engaging your community in taking action together for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice. Keep an eye out for our 2025 resources and explore previous resources from NAIDOC Week, National Reconciliation Week, and Aboriginal Sunday here.
Commit to your journey of education and learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice. Explore ideas and resources on our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice resources page here.
Sign up and follow Common Grace on social media - Commit to walking together in friendship and solidarity by joining the Common Grace movement. Sign up with your email on our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @commongraceaus
One way to take a stand for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice is by learning whose Traditional Country you live on, discovering and sharing the stories of the Traditional Custodians of this country, and sharing an Acknowledgement of Country. Learn more about Acknowledgement of Country and how you can develop your own personal acknowledgement to share in your community.