The Australia Day dilemma for Indigenous Australians: to participate or not? | KnottMatthew
As dawn breaks at Circular Quay next Wednesday, the sails of the Sydney Opera House will suddenly explode in a burst of light and colour. A vibrant constellation of green, blue, pink, yellow and orange dots joining to tell the, the story of the giant perentie lizard that prowls the desert areas west of the Great Dividing Range. The rarely seen goanna, which can grow up to 2.
“The painting tells the story of my father’s country,” Miller says. “I’m really pleased my father’s Dreaming will be displayed on the Opera House and everyone will see it. I’m very proud and honoured.” In particular, Indigenous artists, dancers and musicians can face profound dilemmas when asked to perform on Australia Day.
Russell Dawson, who leads Sydney’s Koomurri Aboriginal dance troupe, has a different view. He believes Australia Day should continue to be celebrated on January 26, with Australia Day eve reserved as a separate public holiday and day of mourning for Indigenous people. On the push to change the date of Australia Day, he says he does not believe it would do much good for Indigenous people.
“I sought counsel from my elders: people who had fought for land rights and change for my people,” she says. “They said, ‘Get in the tent, have the conversations, make sure our issues are raised with people so that they hear where we’re coming from rather than being outside the tent throwing rocks from afar’. So I have been in the tent, I’ve shared my experience.”
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