First Nations woman Maggie Blanden rejects ‘not inclusive’ Young Australian of the Year nomination

Palawa woman Maggie Blanden has rejected her Young Australian of the Year nomination, stating that the event is “not inclusive” for First Nations people.

Each state and territory in Australia has put forward their nominations for the annual Australian of the Year award ceremony. However, the ceremony centres around the controversial date of 26 January, also known as Australia Day. 

The public holiday is a conflicting day for First Nations Australians, which is a date some refer to as “Invasion Day”. It is a day that marks the start of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people being stripped of their land, culture, language, freedoms, and family. 

It’s a date that Blanden, a lawyer and advocate, recognises that for the Palawa community and wider Aboriginal community, “is a day of mourning”.

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