Five ways to spend Invasion Day learning about First Nations history

Jajoo Warrngara is a First Nations-led educational resource replete with online videos and ten hours of digital lessons. And for the first time, its offerings are being made available for free to all Australians. In the Nyikina language of co-founder Annie Milgin, 'jajoo warrngara' is a phrase meaning 'to gather around and learn from the elders'. 

Lessons include units on the First Fleet, the Frontier Wars and historical landmarks, all exploring the impact of colonisation and the perspectives of European colonists and First Nations peoples. Explore the available resources and then make a concerted effort to share some of your learnings with your friends and family. 

Unfortunately, there are many misleading and inaccurate films and shows about First Nations history, so the Foundation has highlighted two films that offer authentic representations: The Australian Wars and High Ground. The former is a series of three one-hour documentary episodes that delve into Australia's frontier conflict, while the latter is a 2020 film based on historical events that took place in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. 

After a few new titles to pop onto your 2024 reading list? Add Day Break by Amy McQuire, Blood on the Wattle by Bruce Elder and A Short History of the Australian Indigenous Resistance 1950-1990 by Gary Foley to the list.

McQuire's book tells the story of a family making its way back to Country on January 26,  offering Indigenous narratives around 'Australia Day', survival and resistance. Elder's text draws together information about the massacres of Aboriginal people to offer broad-based awareness about the scale of these deaths. A chunk of Foley's book can be read here, offering insight into Indigenous resistance efforts in the later half of the 20th century. 

Take a moment to listen to First Nations perspectives shared on podcasts and radio episodes. The Foundation recommends ABC's 'Mapping the Traumascape', an episode tracing a seven-year effort by a research team to map massacre sites around the continent; Frontier War Stories by host Boe Spearim, a series dedicated to truth-telling about events left out of history books; 'One Discordant Note' on the declaration of January 26 as a day of mourning; Awaye!, a series presenting stories about Aboriginal arts and culture Australia-wide; and Speaking Out, which discusses politics, arts and culture from a range of Indigenous perspectives.

Last but certainly not least, the Foundation suggests Australians take some time on January 26 to amplify First Nations voices. Whether that be on social media using the hashtag #MomentOfTruth, in schools and workplaces or in your media consumption choices, there are ample ways to ensure First Nations voices are heard on this day and every day.