Australia Day and Aboriginal Culture with Shain Stephens

Brendo McCormack Podcast

Every year, on the 26th of January we celebrate Australia Day with BBQ's, beaches and of course, the Triple J Hottest 100. Being a White Australian growing up, this was the day Australia was born.

So what is Invasion Day? Shouldn't we be proud of the country we live in now? How does what happened 200 years ago effect us in 2020? Shouldn't we all celebrate Australia together?

These are honestly the questions I asked myself when I first heard of "Invasion Day". And because of this, one thing that I knew, was that I didn't understand the meaning of Australia Day to Indigenous people.

This podcast was my chance to speak with my friend, Shain Stephens, who is from the Iwaidja people. Shain grew up with his people in the Northern Territory and in this interview, shares with us insights into 'What Australia Day means to Aboriginal people'.

If you are like me, a White Australian brought up in European Australian culture, I highly recommend.