Take an inclusive approach to marking Australia Day
On January 26, South Australians are warmly invited to reflect on our past and share a vision of a more inclusive future at Mourning in the Morning.
On 26 January 1938, Australians celebrated the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet. But that date also remains notable in Australian history for another reason – an historic march and gathering of Aboriginal people in Sydney to protest mistreatment and appeal for equality.
The day would become known as the original Day of Mourning, which continues to be observed some by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – and their supporters – some 87 years later, said Australia Day Council of South Australia (ADCSA) First Nations lead Kirstie Parker.
“Whilst Australia celebrated the 150th anniversary of the First Fleet’s arrival – ‘progress’ as it was described – the Day of Mourning drew attention to the undeniable marginalisation and degradation of First Nations people since colonisation,” Parker said.
“It threw down a challenge to political leaders and the British monarchy to respect our sovereignty and to enable our political representation, and it expressed our collective sorrow and anger.
“The Day of Mourning wasn’t the beginning of our struggle, but it was an important turning point.
“It was the seed for other events marking what is also referred to as Survival Day or Invasion Day.”
How Australians choose to mark January 26 has changed in recent times, as the impacts of colonisation are more widely understood and acknowledged.
Mourning in the Morning has been held on Kaurna Country since 2019, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people expressing their perspectives, cultural beliefs and practices through song, dance, storytelling and more.
Mourning in the Morning is an event for everyone
The event offers an opportunity to reflect on Australia’s colonial and contemporary past and share a vision of a more inclusive future.
At the time of the 1938 Day of Mourning, many non-Indigenous Australians had never met or spoken to an Indigenous Australian.
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“But the Day of Mourning sparked interest and the promise of greater self-awareness,” Parker said.
Parker’s family is Yuwaalaraay on her maternal grandmother’s side with Wiradjuri on her maternal grandfather’s side, while her immediate family has lived in Adelaide on Kaurna yerta (Country) for many years.
She said she is thankful for “the many Australians, who are listening deeply and encouraging others to do the same”.
“When we are not strangers to each other, it is harder to disregard each other’s feelings,” she said.
It is a chance for people to come together and support First Nations people
Reflecting this, the 2025 Mourning in the Morning event will once again feature Respectfully Yours cards.
“The ADCSA is lucky to have a First Nations Open Circle discussion group made up of very thoughtful, pragmatic, dignified and staunch Aboriginal people,” Parker said.
“Respectfully Yours – which invites attendees at Mourning in the Morning to draw or write on a custom card something about themselves and a message of support or solidarity – grew from that.
“The first time we did this, last year, we had no way of knowing how many cards we’d get back – perhaps 20, or maybe 50.
“But in little over an hour, we got more than 450 cards from adults and kids.
“When Open Circle members read these supportive, moving – even loving –messages, there weren’t many dry eyes in the room.”
She said the cards acted as an important record of a moment in time and inspired renewed hope for the future, and ADCSA was considering ways to immortalise them, such as in a book or exhibition.
Heartfelt messages from last year’s event
Mourning in the Morning will begin with a Welcome to Kaurna Country and conclude with a smoking ceremony by respected Elder Uncle Moogy Sumner.
This will be followed by Yankunytjatjara woman and senior Aboriginal language expert Karina Lester speaking on the importance of First Nations languages.
When Parker was a child, it was normal for her and her siblings to hear their mother speak phrases and words from her original language, Yuwaalaraay.
While Parker herself is “just a novice” in the language, she said she uses it when she can.
“To me, language is like a love letter to Country,” she said.
“When I hear of language-based activities happening on our home Country – like lessons at the local primary school – my heart sings.”
Pre-colonisation, there were more than 250 languages and 800 dialects used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Today, 123 languages are spoken, of which 109 are considered endangered.
Parker encouraged non-Indigenous Australians to support Aboriginal languages, starting with “being personally curious about and valuing” them.
“They might begin by learning and reaching out to the Traditional Owners of the place and researching existing learning opportunities…maybe dip a toe in by reading our books, listening to our songs,” she said.
“The next step is to be purposeful, active and vocal about support for First Nations languages – for example, speaking to decision makers and leaders – both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal – about what is and could be done in terms of expressions of respect as well as the dedication of adequate funding and resources to preserve, revive, protect and grow our languages.”
She said she loved seeing and hearing children in Adelaide speak Kaurna language.
“For example, being able to say ‘Hello, are you well?’ and to respond is brilliant, powerful,” she said.
“This situation didn’t happen by chance – it came about through long, hard work by Kaurna people and their generosity.
“It might not be a learning practice in all schools, but I hope it becomes one everywhere in Australia.”
Yuwaalaraay, her mother’s tongue, offers a place for Parker and her family to start.
“Our great, great, great grandmother’s language name literally means ‘big heart’ and I couldn’t love that more.”
Mourning in the Morning – Smoking Ceremony runs from 7.30am to 8.45am on January 26 at Elder Park/ Tarntanya Wama, between the River Torrens/ Karrawirra Parri and the Adelaide Festival Centre.
It will be followed by Aus Lights on the River, presented by the Australia Day Council of South Australia, beginning at 5pm with children’s activities and running to 11pm.
Mourning in the Morning – Smoking Ceremony sponsors are Accenture, Sarah Constructions and SA Power Networks.
Aus Lights on the River 2025 is assisted by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council and the City of Adelaide and is supported by the Government of South Australia.
