Every year on January 26, the day commemorating the landing of Britain’s First Fleet in Sydney Cove in 1788, two opposing histories of Australia are narrated.
The first is about the establishment and success of the nation; the second is about the eviction and deprivation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
This year, Dennis Kickett is co-hosting a celebration unlike any other, while many Indigenous Australians choose to boycott or protest the holiday.
“I think I’ll get some flak,” the elder from Noongar says. “But I don’t see the date as a barrier.”
His town of York, which is close to Perth, is going to incorporate three days of Indigenous storytelling into the yearly Australia Day celebrations for the first time. There will be an Australian and Aboriginal flag raising ceremony, as well as a BBQ featuring traditional bush tucker.
Mr. Kickett wants to use this opportunity to clarify the events of January 26.
“We must all acknowledge the past in order for us to move forward. Together with other Ballardong traditional owners, the 70-year-old says, “We made the decision because we live in the same community and have similar goals in life.
“It serves no purpose to isolate ourselves. We’ll have an audience on that date, so why not educate them?”
This weekend, hundreds of events are being sponsored by the National Australia Day Council (NADC), which is in charge of planning celebrations. Among them is the Ballardong First Festival.
