On January 26, many in the Bega Valley and across the seat of Eden-Monaro will come together to celebrate what they see as a day of national pride and Australian values.
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Greens candidate for Eden-Monaro Tamara Ryan has joined with Greens Senator for NSW Lee Rhiannon in remembering the day as one that marked the Frontier Wars, where this nation's First Peoples fought against British imperial colonisation but were dispossessed of their traditional lands and denied a treaty.
“Tragically their struggle continues,” Ms Ryan said.
“Aboriginal people face continued structural inequality and horrendous discrimination, embodied for instance by the deplorable death in custody of Dunghutti man David Dungay only a month ago.”
The Bega Valley Greens call on both Member for Bega Andrew Constance and Bega Valley Shire Mayor Michael Britten to recognise the past struggles of the local Indigenous community and change the nature of the celebrations on future occasions.
Mr Britten has been inviting people to come and celebrate the day "…as our new entertainment facility and gardens come alive for the enjoyment of all".
Ms Ryan said she rejected that tokenistic inclusivity.
“While public events and holidays are a great way to bring the community together and an important reminder we deserve leisure time away from work, Mr Britten is incorrect,” she said.
“These celebrations exclude an integral part of our community.
“Discrimination and oppression are a continued experience for our First Nations Peoples and to celebrate in this way shows a complete disregard for our black history."
Ms Ryan said she will be attending the Invasion Day rally in Nganbra/Canberra at 12pm on January 26, to which all are invited.
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