Baker Boy has followed up his recent OAM honour by calling on Australians to change the date out of respect for First Nations people.
Receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the performing arts as a singer and musician, Danzal Baker was one of a handful of musicians and performers to receive an honour on January 26th, alongside other prominent names such as David Helfgott and the Little River Band’s Graeham Goble.
Taking to social media after the fact, Baker explained he was grateful for being recognised, but noted he would refrain from commenting further due to his being “in mourning for Invasion Day”.
“Today I have been recognised for my achievements and contributions to the performing arts industry with an Order of Australia,” Baker wrote on Instagram. “I’m greatful (sic) for this recognition, and look forward to being able to share and celebrate it, but I do not wish to comment any further at this stage as I am in mourning for Invasion Day.
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“I have spent the day peacefully marching the streets of Narrm and look forward to a time where we celebrate our country, our people and their achievements on a different day out of respect for all of my First Nations brothers and sisters.”
While calls to change the date of the Australia Day holiday are not new, they have become more publicised and frequent in recent years as many Australians call upon the government to be respectful to the history of the country’s First Nations people.
Famously, Indigenous hip-hop outfit A.B. Original released their single “January 26” in 2016, highlighting the importance of changing the date. The track also featured in the 2016 Hottest 100 on the same day the countdown was held on the Australia Day public holiday for the final time before triple j made the decision to move the annual poll.
