EDUCATE DON'T

CELEBRATE: 26
WAYS AND WHYS TO
CHANGE THE DATE

KOORICURRICULUM.COM
EDUCATE DON'T CELEBRATE: 26 WAYS
AND WHYS TO CHANGE THE DATE
JESSICA STAINES - KOORI CURRICULUM

ABOUT JESSICA STAINES

Jessica Staines is an early childhood educator,

professional speaker, author, advocate and advisor.
As the founder and director of Koori Curriculum,
Jessica is committed to helping educators embed
Aboriginal perspectives into early childhood
education. She has played many significant roles
nationally and internationally in building cultural
understanding, reconciliation and harmony, including
as an Indigenous advisor to ABC’s Playschool.
Jessica’s family are originally from Wiradjuri country,
but due to displacement have lived off-country on
Gadigal and Wangal lands for four generations.
Jessica is proud to be a Wiradjuri woman, and today
lives on Darkinjung Country with her husband and
two children.
Cover artwork source: Barka Arts – Chloe Sumner

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 THE TIME IS NOW
The time to begin critically reflecting on what the 26th
of January means and how your team will respond is
now.

This fact sheet contains resources and provocations

to help aid pedagogical debate and discussion with
your colleagues and ignite change.

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 THE DEFINITIONS OF
JANUARY 26TH
Day of Mourning:

The Day of Mourning was a protest held by the

Aboriginal Aborigines League (AAL) and The
Aborigines Progressive Association (APA) on 26
January 1938 on the 150th anniversary of the British
invasion of Australia. It was declared to be a protest
of 150 years of callous treatment and the seizure of
land.

Learn more about this significant date here: The 1938

Day of Mourning | AIATSIS

Survival Day:

Survival Day on the 26th of January is an important

time where community gathers together to celebrate
the resilience of First Nation Peoples. The day
acknowledges our past, present and future.

Invasion Day:

This date represents the British invasion of Aboriginal

land. Events are held on the 26th of January on this
date and often involve protests and marches rejecting
the celebration of Australia Day.

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 Aboriginal Sovereignty Day:

This is a name given to the 26th of January that

reflects the belief that all Aboriginal Nations are
sovereign and should be united in the continuous
fight for their rights.

To learn more about Aboriginal Sovereignty visit

Sovereignty | Aboriginal Tent Embassy |
(atesovereignty.com.au)

So what do we call it?

Each community will probably have a preferred term

of which they refer to this date so its important to
check locally to ascertain what this is. However, it is
our opinion that calling it anything other than
Australia Day is progress!

Tip: To share a First Nations perspective regarding

how Aboriginal peoples feel towards Australia Day we
recommend sharing and discussing the following
video

Aboriginal People Respond To “Australia Day” -

YouTube

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 ACTION
What do you call January 26th?
Are there other names you have heard it called
before?

Share your thoughts and questions with us, or reach

out for support in our FB Group.

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 TOP QUESTIONS ABOUT
THE 26TH OF JANUARY
Each year on and around the 26th January our team
are asked questions from educators about the day
and what they should and shouldn’t do. Below are our
responses to some of the most common questions we
are asked.

Please Note: The Koori Curriculums views and

perspectives do not represent all First Nation peoples
and communities.

Whilst we take steps as a consultancy to ensure our

content is holistic by seeking feedback from our
advisory board we always recommend that educators
continue to seek guidance and consultation from local
knowledge holders

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 Due to conflicting views of the day should
educators ignore the date and eliminate it from
their program?

By ignoring the date we are missing an opportunity to

discuss a social justice, equality and equity issue
with children. Outcome Two of the Early Years
Learning Framework states that children become
aware of fairness when they:

Become aware of the ways in which people are

included and excluded from physical and social
environments.
Develop the ability to recognise unfairness and
bias and the capacity to act with compassion and
kindness.
Begin to think critically about fair and unfair
behaviour

By planning and programming intentionally to include

the date in our program educators can draw children’s
attention towards current affairs and issues that are
affecting First Nations peoples and communities
today. By doing this educators are able to broaden
children’s worldview and are supporting them to think
critically about fairness and unfairness.

Additionally, it is important to manage your families

expectations about your services intentions in how
they will respond to the 26th of January. We
encourage educators to be proactive in their
approach to celebrations and significant dates by
creating or making amendments to their inclusion
policy.

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 here it should be made clear to families what is and
isn’t celebrated and/or acknowledged and how and
why those decisions have been made. As always, our
policies and practices should be underpinned and
foregrounded in our overarching frameworks such as
the National Quality Standard, Code of Ethics and
Early Years Learning Framework.

Should we discuss the history of the date with

children? And if yes how do we do it in an age-
appropriate way?

There are parts of Countries history that are

definitely not appropriate to share with children in the
early years. However, there are many ways that we
can lay a foundation of understanding for children
about the significance of January 26th for First
Nations peoples.

One of our most recommended resources for

educators to use is Day Break by Amy McQuire

See the full blog of our

recommended resources:

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 Day Break by Amy
McQuire

Day Break is the story

of a family making
their way back to
Country on January
26. We see the
strength they draw
from being together,
and from sharing
stories as they move
through a shifting
landscape.

The story refocuses the narratives around ‘Australia

Day’ on Indigenous survival and resistance, and in
doing so honours the past while looking to the future.
Confronting yet truthful, painful yet full of hope, Day
Break is a crucial story that will open up a
conversation on truth-telling for the next generation.

By not taking part in Australia Day celebrations

are children missing out?

By continuing to have Australia Day celebrations of

the 26th of January many First Nations peoples are
missing out on the opportunity celebrate. If the date
of Australia Day celebrations were to move more
people would have the opportunity to participate and
no one would have to miss out.

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 Note: Not all First Nations peoples think and feel the
same. Some First Nation peoples dont have an issue
with the current date of Australia Day, some want it to
be moved and others want the date abolished.

Shouldn’t educators keep their personal political

agendas out of the classroom?

January 26th is arguably one of the most

controversial dates both within the early childhood
profession and the broader Australian community.
Outcome Two of the Early Years Learning Framework
calls for educators to provide opportunities for
children to investigate ideas, complex concepts and
ethical issues that are relevant to their lives and local
communities.

Engaging children in critical discussions and fostering

their awareness of this social issue can and should
be a part of early childhood curriculums.

Furthermore, the Code of Ethics requires educators to

act in the best interests of ALL children. As educators
we need to be aware that some celebrations have a
greater capacity to exclude then what they do to
include. Being aware of our own worldview and
acknowledging that there are many who feel
differently is important so that our own personal
values regarding celebrations are not projected
professionally.

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 Australia Day is an official public holiday
shouldn’t we be celebrating it the same as Easter
and Christmas?

The inclusion of many celebrations are being

questioned within the early years space.

Unless we are to take a thematic-based approach

there is no way that educators can meaningfully
include all celebrations in their program.

We encourage educators to think critically about their

approach towards celebrations and question why they
do what they do.

Who is privileged?
Who is excluded?
Whose voices are being heard?
And whose are being silenced?

The Early Years Learning Framework sates that when

making professional judgements educators need to
consider and be aware of how their beliefs and values
impact children’s learning.

By being critical and intentional in our approach to

celebrations educators may develop a greater
understanding that their curriculum decisions have
consequences on children’s worldview and find new
ways that are fair and just for all.

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 AUSTRALIA DAY - THE
SIGNIFICANCE
The 26th of January is a date of contention for many
Australians. This is a significant day for many and
can be referred to as Australia Day, Invasion Day,
Survival Day and Day of Mourning. In recent years
there has been a stronger growing view being voiced
that the date of Australia Day should be moved out of
respect for our countries first nations people.

Australia Day has been noted as occurring since

1915, however it has only been celebrated nationally
since 1994. It has also been noted that Aboriginal
people first began protesting Australia Day
celebrations occurring as of the 26th of Jan 1938.

In the Early Childhood Profession there is often quite

intense debate each year in the lead up to this public
holiday as to whether or not programs should or
shouldn’t acknowledge Australia Day. In 2018 Early
Childhood Australia our national advocacy body
shared their view in “The Spoke”.

“Our commitment to this work is more than

compliance and expectation, it emerges from a
fundamental belief that valuing and celebrating
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and
identity enhances who we are as Australians, and that
this must form part of how we educate our youngest
citizens.

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 The questions in this most recent debate strengthen
our resolve and are matched with our belief that
children, and those who work with them, have a right
to participate in the evolving life and decisions of the
Australian community.

With this understanding, ECA stands alongside

Reconciliation Australia in their call to change the
date of Australia Day, and agrees with Chief
Executive Karen Mundine that ‘a relatively small task’
would ‘demonstrate a willingness to address past
wrongs’ and move to a stronger, more respectful
relationship in the future. Our work in partnership
with many key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
organisations confirms the need to listen closely with
respect and act to change situations that cause
further harm. “ (Hydon,2018).

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 Celebrations and significant dates have been deeply
rooted in our profession for a long time and in some
instances they formulated the classroom curriculum
before the introduction of the EYLF. However, when
considering inclusion and specifically when
contemplating the inclusion of celebrations and
significant dates in our program we must always be
reflecting and questioning; Who is privileged? Who is
marginalised? Who is being listened to? Who is being
silenced?

As Early Childhood educators we need to be mindful

that we are not projecting our own values, ideals and
political views onto children. What shapes and
influences curriculum decisions in our profession are
our over arching frameworks namely; The Early Years
Learning Framework, The National Quality Standard
and The Code of Ethics.

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 REFLECT
Take some time to reflect on the history of
Australia Day and what that means to you.

Were you aware of the days Australia Day was

celebrated in the past?

Do you believe that it cannot be changed from

January 26th?

Share your thoughts and questions with us in our FB

Group.

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 HOW TO MANAGE
CHANGE
It is common for educators to encounter resistance
from their colleagues and families regarding changes
to traditional celebrations of Australia on and around
the 26th of January.

Whether you are an educator trying to evoke change

within your management or a Director trying to
convince educators to change their approach the
following tips we feel will be of assistance.

Creating the Culture

Using less controversial topics set the tone of how

the team is to address differences of opinion, practice
and perspectives. Creating a culture of critical
reflection, debate and discussion centred around our
professions overarching frameworks supports
educators to articulate their views based on
professional standards and not personal opinions and
values.

Encourage statements such as “The Code of ethics

states ________and I’ve interpreted that to mean
_____”.

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 This practice requires educators to critically reflect
and consider their point of view by researching and
investigating before sharing it with colleagues.

This approach also creates a separation between

educators personal values and their professional
practice.

Engage and Educate

In any one team there are a spectrum of feelings

regarding the 26th of January which are often shaped
by individual educators relationships, experiences
and opportunities.

Not everyone knows what you know and therefore it’s

important to create opportunities that allows everyone
to participate in professional development that
extends their knowledge and understanding.

Explain

Do your own research and explain why a change is

needed. Thrusting and forcing change only creates
more resistance.

Generally there are much better outcomes when

educators are involved in the decision-making
process and understand the reasons for change
taking place.

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 Listen and Respond

Encourage feedback from families and educators and

respond to it.

Create a space where everyone feels safe to express

their ideas and thoughts even if they contradict your
own and are unpopular is important. Everyone needs
to feel respected and heard.

If you are unsure how to respond or don’t yet have all

the information at hand reserve your comments and
feedback for a later date.

Take your time and be thorough in making your

response.

This shows that even if you have decided to go a

different way that you still valued everyones feedback
and points of view.

Slow Steady and Early

Ideally the time to begin discussions about the 26th

of January is not in the immediate lead up to the
date.

Discussions and decisions should not be rushed but

thoroughly thought through.

Having a plan and implementing it in stages allows

for meaningful and sustained change to occur.

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 ACTION
Now that you know the history of Australia Day, the
impact January 26th has on First Nations people and
our tips for managing change, we encourage you to
table this as a discussion for your centre team
meeting.

Share your thoughts and questions with us, or reach

out for support in our FB Group.

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 HOW TO BE AN ALLY ON
JANUARY 26TH
1. It’s not personal

Within any one team there can be a spectrum of

different feeling regarding the 26th of January and
often in our work we encounter groups of educators
struggling to form a consensus on what they should
or shouldn’t do in regards to the date.

When engaging in discussions regarding the 26th of

January we often hear lots of “I think” and “I feel”
statements and this is when we gently remind
educators that we don’t make professional or
pedagogical decisions based upon our personal
values, feelings and beliefs.

If we were discussing how to best guide Children’s

behaviour we wouldn’t invite educators to share what
they do in their own homes in hopes of finding and
forming a consensus, this is no different.

Our professional decisions, discussion and debates

must be formed and based upon our professions
overarching frameworks; The Code of Ethics, the
EYLF and the NQS.

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 2. Stick to the facts

When discussing what to and what not to celebrate

many educators can have an emotive response. It’s
therefore really important if you are leading or
facilitating a discussion to be well prepared and
armed with the facts.

For example did you know that in 2018 Early

Childhood Australia made a statement that they stood
in support of Reconciliation Australia and felt that
Australia Day celebrations should not take place in
early learning settings until a more suitable date
could be found for all: Australia Day—it’s time to
change

3. Bring families along with you

We are often told that one of the biggest hurdles that

educators face is that their families expect them to
celebrate Australia Day on the 26th of January.

We suggest:

Firstly educating families on how decisions regarding

care and practice are made within the centre eg
based upon overarching frameworks and not on
individuals feeling and beliefs.

That in a community care setting there are non-

negotiables and some things we can’t accommodate,
which is why having centre policies are really
important.

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 Often we think of this in relation to physical care eg
safe sleep practices but it also applies to inclusive
practice.

Create a centre policy on celebrations that outlines

what you do, don’t do and why.

Knowledge is power. Share reflective readings in

parent libraries about changing the date, put facts in
centre newsletters and invite families along to
professional development opportunities. Remember
unlearning and relearning takes time.

4. Privilege First Nation voices and experiences in

your curriculum

We recommend books such as Day Break and

Somebody’s Land.

5. Go to work

If you can stay open on the 26th of January and work

then do so. If not make use of your public holiday and
“Get Up, Stand Up, Show up” at a local Survival Day
event.

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 CREATING AWARENESS
ABOUT JANUARY 26TH
Raising awareness in your community is one way you
can support others to learn more about the issues
surrounding Australia Day celebrations on the 26th of
January.

Have small conversations often

Having small conversations about the 26th of January

with colleagues and families plants the seed and can
be the catalyst for change for those around you.
Intentionally dropping little facts here and there
slowly builds awareness in a non-confrontational way.

Remember the goal is to broaden peoples world view

and support them to consider different perspectives
of the date.

Look locally

Research and connect with local First Nation

organisations and thought leaders in your community.

Listen to their views and feelings and find ways to

amplify their voices. You could do this by sharing
their social media posts, inviting them in to speak to
your colleagues and families and promoting their
events on centre notice boards or newsletters.

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 Wear your support

Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

businesses sell merchandise for allies wanting to
wear their solidarity. These items of clothes can act
as a provocation for discussion. Our favourite brands
are:

Haus of Dizzy
Yarli Creative
Gammin Threads
Clothing the Gaps
BW Tribal
Darkies Designs
Ngurrbul Baddhin Clothing
Jarin Street

Share Your Journey

Many of us have come from a place of not knowing

before unlearning and relearning the truth of our
Countries black history. You don’t know what you
don’t know but once you do you have an ethical
responsibility to do something about it.

Learning what the date represents to many Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander peoples changes ones own
thoughts and feelings regarding it. Your experience
and journey of change will be relatable to many
others and assists in bringing down peoples walls.
For them knowing that you to were once just like
them brings down defensive reflexes with a better
chance of others being open and willing to listen.

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 Like, Follow, Subscribe and Share

Follow Blak thought leaders on social media. Did you

know that by simply liking and sharing their posts
amplifies their voice and makes them more
discoverable to others.

FB Pages to Follow:

@KooriCurriculum

Twitter Accounts to Follow:

@TurnbullVanessa
@joewilliams_tew
@amyMcQuire
@LukeLPearson
@SummerMayFinlay
@NayukaGorrie
@narelda_jacobs
@boneybrooke
@senatorbriggs

Instagram Accounts to Follow:

@Kooricurriculum
@learning_to_ngangaanha
@wingaru_education
@Barkaa_
@Clothing the Gap
@Haus of Dizzy

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 TikTok Accounts to Follow:

@meissa.com.au
@thekooriecircle
@dhiiyaanart
@louise81_artz
@bobbilockyer
@chefmindywoods
@finnthehuman279

Make It Visible

Create awareness by making it visible in and around

your service.

Hang our poster in your staffroom and centre foyer

Share our posts on social media
Use our templates
Share facts in your newsletter

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 EDUCATORS DON’T
CELEBRATE 2022:
In 2022 Educators all over Australia responded to the
Koori Curriculums call to action "Educators Don't
Celebrate". This campaign is a statement that
educators should not be celebrating Australia on the
26th of January which is a national day of mourning
for Indigenous peoples.

The educators who took part walked the talk and

moved from safe to brave by standing in solidarity
and showing alliance to First Nation peoples and
communities.

Thank you! (Check out the gallery)

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EDUCATORS DON’T
CELEBRATE 2023:
Are you looking for a way to show solidarity with
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mob this
January 26th?

Join Koori Curriculum in showing how “Educators

Don’t Celebrate” on January 26th.

How you can take part:

1. Print this poster

2. Take a photo of yourself or your team holding it
and share it to our Facebook Group or email it to
us at info@kooricurriculum.com and we'll share it
on your behalf

Changing the narrative around January 26th is

something we can all get involved in while showing
respect and support to our Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander communities.

This January 26th let’s show how “Educators Don’t

Celebrate”.