Australia Day or Invasion Day? A Reflection on Denial, History, and the Need for Truth| Rewriting History together

Australia Day or Invasion Day? A Personal Reflection on History, Denial, and Respect

January 26. For many Australians, it’s a day of barbecues, fireworks, and national pride. But for others—particularly First Nations peoples—it’s a day of mourning, remembrance, and resistance.

As someone who has lived in multiple countries and identifies as a migrant rather than expatriate, I often reflect on the stories we tell ourselves about belonging, identity, and history. Australia Day, or Invasion Day, forces us to confront a difficult question: Can we truly celebrate without acknowledging the truth of how we got here?

The answer lies in our ability to confront the past, to listen deeply, and to embrace the principles of diversity, inclusion, and respect—not just for ourselves as migrants or descendants of migrants, but for the First Nations peoples who have cared for this land for tens of thousands of years.

We Are All Migrants, But We Have Forgotten

Australia’s population is a tapestry of migration. Whether you arrived by plane, boat, or were born here to migrant parents, most of us share a history of arrival. Even those who trace their ancestry to the First Fleet are descendants of people who left their homelands to start anew.

Yet in our rush to build a national identity, we’ve often overlooked the oldest story of all—the story of the First Nations peoples who never migrated, whose connection to this land spans over 65,000 years.

Diversity and inclusion are often buzzwords in modern Australia, yet they ring hollow when we fail to respect the very foundations of this country. How can we claim to champion these values when we celebrate a date that represents invasion and dispossession for First Nations peoples?

The Denial of History

Colonial narratives often rewrite history to serve the perspective of the colonizers. In Australia, the doctrine of terra nullius—the idea that the land was “nobody’s land”—allowed British settlers to justify their actions. This legal fiction denied the sovereignty of the oldest living cultures on Earth and enabled centuries of systemic oppression.

Even today, we see this denial in the way some resist changing the date of Australia Day. They argue that the past is the past, that we should “move on” and focus on unity. But true unity requires truth-telling. It requires acknowledging the painful parts of our history, not erasing them.

This denial isn’t unique to Australia. Across the globe, colonized nations have grappled with distorted histories. Movies and media often perpetuate these colonial views, portraying colonizers as heroes and the colonized as obstacles to progress. Stories of resilience and resistance are silenced, while colonial violence is sanitized.

The Cost of Forgetting

The cost of this denial is borne most heavily by First Nations peoples, who continue to face systemic injustices. From overrepresentation in prisons to lower life expectancy, the impact of colonial policies is far from over.

But the cost is also felt by the nation as a whole. When we fail to confront our history, we deny ourselves the opportunity to grow. We cannot build a future of true inclusion and equality if the foundations of that future are built on untruths.

Rewriting Our Story Together

So, what can we do? It starts with listening. The Uluru Statement from the Heart is a powerful call for truth-telling, justice, and constitutional recognition for First Nations peoples. Supporting this movement is one way to demonstrate respect and solidarity.

We also need to challenge the narratives we consume. Films like Rabbit-Proof Fence and The Nightingale show us how stories can confront colonialism, but they are still rare. We must advocate for more diverse and truthful representations of history in media and education.

Most importantly, we need to shift our mindset. Australia is not just a “lucky country”—it is a country with a complex, painful history that we all inherit. Recognizing Invasion Day is not about division; it’s about accountability and growth.

A Personal Call to Reflect

For me, as a Vietnamese French Australian woman who has called many countries home, this reflection feels deeply personal. My own journey is one of migration, adaptation, and identity. I understand the privilege of living in a country with incredible opportunity, but that privilege comes with responsibility.

We must honor the resilience of First Nations peoples, respect their sovereignty, and reflect on our own roles in shaping a more inclusive future.

Australia Day doesn’t have to remain on January 26. It’s not about erasing history—it’s about choosing to write a better chapter together. Let us not forget the meaning of diversity and inclusion, not just for migrants like me but for those who were here long before us.

This is not an easy conversation, but it’s a necessary one. What does Australia Day mean to you? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Let’s talk, let’s listen, and let’s grow.

#history #D&I #decolinisingmindset #inclusion #inclusive leadership #migrant #belongingto #racism

=================

Hi, I'm My. I'm an Executive Coach and Positive Change Catalyst. I deliver impactful coaching and training to inspire and ignite action for a positive and inclusive workplace.

?? DM to see how I can help

??Interested in energizing facilitations? I use LEGO? Serious Play?, and new approaches based on positive psychology principles to strengthen authentic team bonding, diversity of thinking, gender and cultural equity.

?? The Unspoken Identity Struggle | My Holland | TEDxFTU

https://lnkd.in/gG7BhhDJ

?? FQ: The New EQ | My Holland | TEDxMonashUniversityMalaysia

https://lnkd.in/gxJ8hRc2