Always was, always will be facts for kids
Always was, always will be Aboriginal land is a very important phrase in Australia. It's often shortened to "Always was, always will be" or "Always will be". This phrase is a powerful statement and a call for action for the Aboriginal land rights movement in Australia. It reminds everyone that Aboriginal people have always been, and will always be, connected to their land.
The Story Behind the Phrase
This important phrase is believed to have started in the 1980s. It came from the Barkandji people, who live in far-western New South Wales. They were working hard to get their legal rights and recognition as the original owners of their homelands.
A man named William Bates led this effort. Thanks to his work, the first national park in New South Wales was given back to its traditional owners. During one of his trips back to his Country (which is what Indigenous Australians call their ancestral lands), William's father, Jim Bates, was sharing stories about the land. William said, "Dad, it’s not your land any more, whitefellas own it." His father replied with the famous words: "No, they only borrowed it; it always was, and always will be Aboriginal land."
What the Phrase Means
The phrase "Always was, always will be Aboriginal land" means several important things:
- It states that Aboriginal peoples were the very first people on the continent now known as Australia.
- They have lived on and cared for this land for more than 65,000 years.
- It also means that Aboriginal people never gave up their sovereignty (their right to govern themselves and their land).
This phrase is often shortened to "Always was, always will be."
People, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, often chant this phrase at protests, rallies, and celebrations across Australia. It is strongly linked to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land rights, the idea of self-determination (Indigenous people making their own decisions), and sovereignty. It also highlights that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' original ownership and rights to the land are not always fully recognized.
How the Phrase is Used
The phrase "Always was, always will be" is often included in an Acknowledgment of Country. An Acknowledgment of Country is a way for people to show respect for the Traditional Owners of the land they are on.
- From 2012 to 2017, an art display by Reko Rennie in Taylor Square, Sydney was named Always was, always will be.
- In 2017, a photo exhibition in Sydney by the famous Aboriginal Australian photojournalist Barbara McGrady was called Always Will Be.
- In 2020, "Always Was, Always Will Be" was chosen as the main theme for NAIDOC Week. NAIDOC Week is a special time each year to celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
