Invasion Day – Our Reconciliation Commitment Continues

January is a time of sadness and reflection for many First Nations People with Invasion Day fast approaching. For many, January 26th is a day of mourning, not celebration. It marks the beginning of the dispossession of First Nations People from their land, the systematic dismantling of 60,000 years of history, culture and language, standing as a solemn reminder of the ongoing trauma, grief, and loss they continue to endure. 

It is also a time for action and collaboration, and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) is committed to both of these as part of our Reconciliation Working Group. On this date, as a human rights organisation that stands firmly against injustice directed at refugees and people seeking asylum, the ASRC reaffirms we stand with First Nations people and we commit to amplifying the voices of First Nations People and supporting First Nations led initiatives.

The ASRC is committed to continuous learning about the land, sky, and waterways on which we live, as well as the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. We are dedicated to sharing this knowledge with those who have come to Australia seeking safety. We acknowledge and confront institutional racism, standing in solidarity with First Nations communities and supporting the issues that matter most to them.

We invite you to read the ASRC Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan and visit reconciliation.org.au to learn more about reconciliation action. Our commitment as an ally continues today and into the future.  It is unwavering and embedded in our core values and actions. As long as there is injustice for some, there is injustice for all.

The ASRC acknowledges that sovereignty was never ceded and recognises and celebrates First Nations people’s continuing connections to land, waters, communities, cultures and customs.