both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, use terms such as 'First Nations Australians', 'First Australians' or 'Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples'.
And if you are talking about both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it's best to say either 'Indigenous Australians' or 'Indigenous people'. Without a capital “a”, “aboriginal” can refer to an Indigenous person from anywhere in the world. The word means “original inhabitant” in Latin.
First Nations and First Peoples
Other pluralised terms such as 'First Nations' or 'First Peoples' are also acceptable language, and respectfully encompass the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and identities.
More appropriate
Aboriginal language people terms such as 'Koori', 'Murri', 'Nyoongah' are appropriate for the areas where they apply. About 80% of the Torres Strait Island population now resides outside the Torres Strait and as such, local terminology such as Murray Island Peoples and Mer Island Peoples is also used.
The term Native is often used officially or unofficially to describe indigenous peoples from the United States (Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Alaska Natives), but it can also serve as a specific descriptor (Native people, Native lands, Native traditions, etc.).
Land acknowledgments can be spoken at the beginning of public and private gatherings, from school programs and sporting events to town halls. Making a land acknowledgment should be motivated by genuine respect and support for Native Peoples.
The term 'Indigenous' and using the acronym ATSI can be offensive." It is also a term the government imposed and used as a category. Avoid using this term. I am not an Aboriginal, or indeed indigenous, I am ... [a] First Nation's person.
The words are: 'I begin today by acknowledging the <insert name of people here (e.g. Ngunnawal)> people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we <gather/meet> today, and pay my respects to their Elders past and present. I extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here today. '
Australia's first people—known as Aboriginal Australians—have lived on the continent for over 50,000 years.
The term “Indigenous” is increasingly replacing the term “Aboriginal”, as the former is recognized internationally, for instance with the United Nations' Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. However, the term Aboriginal is still used and accepted.
Koori is a term denoting an Aboriginal person of southern New South Wales or Victoria. 'Koori' is not a synonym for 'Aboriginal'. There are many other Aboriginal groups across Australia (such as Murri, Noongar, Yolngu) with which Indigenous Australians may identify themselves.
There is no one Aboriginal word that all Aborigines use for Australia; however, today they call Australia, ""Australia"" because that is what it is called today. There are more than 250 aboriginal tribes in Australia. Most of them didn't have a word for ""Australia""; they just named places around them.
To make direct eye contact can be viewed as being rude, disrespectful or even aggressive.To convey polite respect, the appropriate approach would be to avert or lower your eyes in conversation.
An Acknowledgement of Country should be made at formal events, formal or larger meetings and in meetings with external parties, but use your judgment for shorter, informal internal meetings. Beginning your meetings with an Acknowledgement shows respect and recognition for Aboriginal culture, land, heritage and history.
Prior to arrival, it is acceptable to ask Métis Elders what they prefer as protocol. A handshake is a sign of respect. It offers a sense of inclusion and friendship. Indigenous people often greet one another with a handshake.
These statutes have generally defined an Aboriginal or Indigenous person as 'a person who is a descendant of an indigenous inhabitant of Australia', or a member or a person 'of the Aboriginal race of Australia'.
Offensive names
However many may not be aware that shortening the term 'Aboriginal' to 'Abo' is highly offensive to Indigenous people due to historical usage and is considered a derogatory term, as 'Koon' or 'Boong' are. It's best to avoid these slurs in general.
'Walkabout' for many First Nations people is a contentious word and considered an archaic colonial term. Its use by non-Aboriginal people is considered inappropriate.
It is not appropriate to use the term 'indigenous' in lower case when referring to Australia's Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. 'non-Indigenous' is a term used in Australia when providing two perspectives, the Australian Indigenous peoples, and the rest of the Australian population.
Gubbah, also spelt gubba, is a term used by some Aboriginal people to refer to white people or non-Aboriginal people.
They include bunji, "a mate, a close friend a kinsman" (from Warlpiri and other languages of the Northern Territory and northern Queensland), boorie, "a boy, a child" (from Wiradjuri), jarjum, "a child" (from Bundjalung), kumanjayi, "a substitute name for a dead person" (from Western Desert language), pukamani "a ...
Overall there are many common words in Noongar, for example: kaya = hello, moort = family, boodja = country and yongka = kangaroo. These words are used everyday but they sound slightly different from region to region.
“Hard yakka” means work hard. The word “yakka” – which first appeared in the 1840s – derives from the word for work (yaga). It comes from Yagara, an Indigenous language in Australia.
Noun. nulla-nulla (plural nulla-nullas) (Australia) A war club used by Aboriginal Australians quotations ▼