The Invasion

It's nightfall.

The Milky Way illuminates the sky.

You lay down by the

dwindling campfire,

surrounded by your family.

Your belly still smiles from dinner, and you feel safe and warm. Finally, you let out a yawn, close your heavy eyes, and begin to dream.

This is how I imagine many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children spent their night before the First Fleet arrived. Little did they know, the following day would mark the beginning of colonization and unimaginable grief and loss.

So, what was the First Fleet?

In 1787, a man named Arthur Phillip left England with a group of 11 ships. The ships carried over 1,400 people, including over 750 prisoners; these would be the first of many who would settle in the southern continent now known as Australia. This is why they’re called the First Fleet.

Colonization in Australia

The First Nations people already had a complex naming system for their land. However, the British overlooked this and used their own names instead. You might even say they tried to overlook the people too.

In 1770, years before Phillip arrived, the land was declared “Terra Nullius” by British Captain Cook. This means “land belonging to no one,” and this claim was often used by Europeans to take new territories for themselves.

During this time, the prisons of England were overflowing. Many were jailed for stealing as little as a loaf of bread. Fewer people were given death sentences, but they still faced life in prison for large and small crimes. So the plan for a penal colony in Australia was made.

Phillip planned to start this colony at  place called Botany Bay, home to the Gadigal and Bidegal people. But when the fleet arrived, they realized it wasn’t fit for settlement. So they sailed to Port Jackson (Gadigal country) instead. They landed there on the 26th of January, 1788, and the forceful colonization of Australia began.

More ships arrived soon after, carrying prisoners and free settlers. For 80 years, England sent their prisoners to colonies all over Australia. In 1851, the discovery of gold attracted more people from around the world. Fifty years later, Australia became the commonwealth that it is known as today.

The British Footprint

The arrival of the First Fleet marked the beginning of unimaginable devastation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Many were killed, and those who survived were often forced into missions and treated like slaves.

In addition to this, government policies actioned the forced removal of approximately 50,000 First Nations children from their families. Today, these children are known as the stolen generation.

These events have had lasting impacts. Even today, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are going to bed in unsafe conditions. Some are in foster homes without their loving families, and others do not have access to safe housing and healthy food.

Compared with non-Indigenous Australians, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people experience higher rates of disadvantage and poor health outcomes. These inequalities are directly related to colonization and intergenerational trauma.

Colonization has not stopped. It continues to impact the environment and devastate lives. However, it should not be forgotten that First Nations people also demonstrate significant strength and resilience.

Across the continent, many are working tirelessly toward the healing of themselves, their communities, and their beloved country.