To greet an Indigenous person respectfully, prioritize sincerity, observe their cues (like eye contact or handshake preference), and be open to local customs, which can include using a traditional greeting (e.g., "Kaya" in Noongar, "Yumalundi" in Ngunnawal), a simple "hello," or a formal Acknowledgement of Country if in Australia, always aiming for genuine connection and patience.
The best way to say 'hello' is 'gurumba bigi,' which means 'good day.
There are many different ways in which Indigenous individuals prefer to be addressed - some use only their ancestral name, or their traditional name, or they use both ancestral and traditional names. Tip: When addressing an Indigenous leader it is common to use their title, first name, and last name.
Use 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander' when referring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people generally. Using 'First Peoples' and 'First Nations' is also generally acceptable.
Be respectful.
One sign of respect is thoroughly researching the community you want to work with. If you are interested in working with them you should be interested in learning about them, their history, worldviews, governance structure, culture, traditions, and economy.
Using terms such as "the Aborigines" or "the Aboriginal people" tends to suggest that Aboriginal people/s are all the same, and thus stereotypes Indigenous Australians. The fact is that Indigenous Australia is multicultural.
The word Koorie or Koori is a word used to describe Aboriginal people of South Eastern Australia (in Victoria and New South Wales). The word comes from the Awabakal word for 'man' or 'people. '
Overall there are many common words in Noongar, for example: kaya = hello, moort = family, boodja = country and yongka = kangaroo.
The Stolen Generations Reparations Scheme provided ex-gratia payments to Stolen Generations survivors. The reparations aimed to acknowledge historical injustices faced by Stolen Generations survivors. The amount provided to each recipient was $75,000.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, avoidance of eye contact is customarily a gesture of respect.
Gubbi Gubbi (also Kabi Kabi) refers to the Indigenous Australian people and their language, traditional custodians of the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, and Gympie regions in South East Queensland, Australia; the name itself comes from a word meaning "no," a common naming practice for different groups, and while the main language is endangered, efforts are being made to revive it.
To respond to "Kia ora" (hello/be well), you can simply reply with "Kia ora", say "Mōrena" (good morning), or use a more formal "Tēnā koe" (hello to one person) or "Tēnā koutou" (hello to many), depending on the context, or use another common phrase like "E pai ana" (all is good/thanks) if it was used as thanks. The best response is often another simple "Kia ora," as it's versatile and polite.
"Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy, Oi Oi Oi" (often written as "Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi") is a patriotic Australian sports chant, a rallying cry of national pride, originating from older British cheers like "Oggy Oggy Oggy," with "Aussie" being slang for Australian, and "Oi" functioning as an emphatic interjection, similar to "Hey!" or "Go!". It's used at sporting events, sometimes considered a bit cheesy or "cringey" by some Australians, but generally seen as an inclusive way to support national teams.
Woop Woop is used to refer to a place in the middle of nowhere. People use it to signify that a location is far away, unfamiliar to them, and difficult to get to.
The standard three-part test for Aboriginality in Australia requires a person to meet three criteria: descent (biological ancestry), self-identification (identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander), and community acceptance (being recognized as such by their Indigenous community). This definition, adopted by the Commonwealth government, is used for many government programs and services, although the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) uses a simpler two-part test (descent and self-identification) for general data collection.
LAMBRUK: a homestead. LANGI: dwelling. LARNOOK: habitation. LARUNDEL: camp. LUMEAH: here I rest.
For example, both lesbian and heterosexual Aboriginal women may refer to themselves as 'sistergirls', 'sisters' or 'tiddas', which is an Aboriginal English term for the word 'sisters'.
"""Aho"" is a term often used among Native American communities to express agreement, solidarity, and spiritual connection.
First Peoples Fund (FPF) finds it essential to support artists in their times of need, especially when their work is impacted by sudden hardship. This grant's name incorporates the Diné word yéego, which is often used as a phrase of encouragement that can mean “keep going” or “don't give up.”
"Straya" is a colloquial, affectionate, and humorous slang term for Australia, representing a shortened, phonetic pronunciation of the country's name, often used in a casual context to show national identity and a laid-back attitude. It embodies the Australian tendency to shorten words and can be heard in phrases like "G'day, Straya!".
'Aborigine' is generally perceived as insensitive, because it has racist connotations from Australia's colonial past, and lumps people with diverse backgrounds into a single group. You're more likely to make friends by saying 'Aboriginal person', 'Aboriginal' or 'Torres Strait Islander'.
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage is personal to the individual. You don't need to prove that you are an Indigenous Australian. However, Government agencies and community organisations will, in some cases, request proof of aboriginality when applying for Indigenous-specific services or programs.