There are indigenous calls to go barefoot this Australia Day in an attempt to reframe the focus to a concept of connection to Country called BELONGING DAY this Jan 26th 2023.
The Ngungwulah Aboriginal Corporation states the idea is a respectful approach to January 26th that is easy, inclusive, healing and allows us all to come together. In multicultural Australia, founded on the unceded lands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples, January 26th, marking the 1788 landing of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove and the raising of the Union Flag by Arthur Phillip, is often a contentious and divisive day of the year.
‘Focussing on the commonality of our connection to this beautiful Country and our barefoot approach to life here in Australia, Ngungwulah Aboriginal Corporation has called for us all to take our shoes off in a simple act of respect for Country and the Cultures here that have held this land in high regard through their custodianship all these millennia.’
Initiated by Ngungwulah directors, Kirt Mallie, Mualgal man of Moa Island, Torres Strait Islands living on Guringai Country and Jrumpinjinbah, Paul McLeod, Yuin man, he urges this reframing of the day allows us to come back to a central unifying concept, respect for Country.
‘Taking our shoes off for some or all of the day, encouraging friends and family to do the same, acknowledging Country, participating in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Community-led events or creating our own barefoot events are ways to mark and reframe the day.
We are asking for the community to share images and ideas widely and with us so we can continue a positive dialogue about Traditional Custodianship and the communal need to Care for Country.’
