January 26 is officially celebrated as Australia Day, but for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (and anyone who values the truth) it is known as Invasion Day or Survival Day. This is the day when British colonial authorities arrogantly laid claim to this continent, opening an era of brutal dispossession, genocide and racism.
In Sydney, thousands of Aboriginal people, Torres Strait Islanders and their supporters marked Survival Day with the annual Yabun Festival in Victoria Park. They were treated to a rich program of cultural performances, discussions, stalls, dance and cooking classes and more organised by .
"Yabun" is a Gadigal word meaning to make music with a beat and this is the 12th year the festival has been held.
The theme of the festival this year was "Survive" and a strong Kevin Cook Lecture was delivered by veteran Aboriginal and trade union activist Kevin Tory.
Uncle Max Eulo, from the Budjedi tribe of western NSW, did a traditional smoking ceremony to welcome people to the festival. This was followed by a corroboree featuring the Doonooch Aboriginal dancers from the South Coast and Albert David and the Torres Strait Islander dancers.
Performers on the main stage included the Desert Pea Media All Stars, Makikhoney, King Brown, Leah Flanagan, the Bart Willoughby Band, the Renegades of Munk and Emma Donovan and the Putbacks.
Photos by Peter Boyle/91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly.
Uncle Max Eulo, from the Budjedi tribe of western NSW, did the smoking ceremony to welcome people to Yabun 2014. Photo by Peter Boyle.
Lyall Munro Jnr, in the Elders Tent, is welcomed by Uncle Max Eulo, in the smoking ceremony to welcome people to Yabun 2014. Photo by Peter Boyle.
Doonooch dance group from NSW South Coast perform in the Corroboree. Photo by Peter Boyle.
Doonooch dance group from NSW South Coast perform in the Corroboree. Photo by Peter Boyle.
Torres Strait Islander dancers in the Corroboree. Photo by Peter Boyle.
Torres Strait Islander dancers in the Corroboree. Photo by Peter Boyle.
2014 Yabun Festival. Photo by Peter Boyle.
2014 Yabun Festival. Photo by Peter Boyle.
2014 Yabun Festival. Photo by Peter Boyle.
2014 Yabun Festival. Photo by Peter Boyle.
2014 Yabun Festival. Photo by Peter Boyle.
2014 Yabun Festival. Photo by Peter Boyle.
2014 Yabun Festival. Photo by Peter Boyle.
Renegades of Munk performing at the 2014 Yabun Festival. Photo by Peter Boyle.
2014 Yabun Festival. Photo by Peter Boyle.
Renegades of Munk performing at the 2014 Yabun Festival. Photo by Peter Boyle.
Munkimuk and the Renegades of Munk performing at the 2014 Yabun Festival. Photo by Peter Boyle.
Munkimuk and the Renegades of Munk performing at the 2014 Yabun Festival. Photo by Peter Boyle.
2014 Yabun Festival. Photo by Peter Boyle.
Emma Donovan performing at the 2014 Yabun Festival. Photo by Peter Boyle.
91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly on the Socialist Alliance stall at the 2014 Yabun Festival. Photo by Peter Boyle.
91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly on the Socialist Alliance stall at the 2014 Yabun Festival. Photo by Peter Boyle.