The future is in your hands
Inclusive language for talking about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and issues
- Adrien Rawsthorne
Terminology to to use when speaking to/about an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person or community
Encouraged
+ Ask, don’t tell or assume - as a first port of call, ask for the correct language to refer to a person, place or community.
If you don't know, or can’t ask, try to use these terms:
+ Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples / communities / cultures / languages (always capitalised and written in full - in plural unless being specific)
+ First Nations peoples / communities / cultures / languages (in plural unless being specific)
+ Aboriginal (capitalise - use as an adjective, not a noun)
+ Be specific about the nation, family, or people group (when known and appropriate)
Avoid:
+ Acronyms like ATSI - use Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
+ Pejorative abbreviated words (E.g. ‘Aborigine’ or ‘Abo’) as these are highly offensive and are connected with a history of persecution
+ Blood quantum descriptives (E.g. ‘half caste' or 'full blood’) as historically these were used to reduce the rights or humanness of First Nation’s people globally by colonisers. Asking questions or commenting on this plays into stereotypes. “I’m darker than you”, “Are you full blood Aboriginal or half?”, “I think I’ve got some Aboriginal in me” are all examples to avoid.
+ Questioning identity - E.g. Do you have Aboriginal heritage? Are you of Aboriginal descent Vs. Are you Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander? Are you a First Nations person? Unless you’re working in Health, these questions are usually unnecessary.
+ Indigenous (unless referring to a specific event or organisation's name)
+ Indigenous Australians, Aboriginal Australians - some First Nations people find these terms alienating or disrespectful.
Again these are not hard and fast rules and there are a variety of perspectives on the best terminology.
Watch 🎥 ABC’s 'Indigenous' episode of You Can’t Ask That.
Decolonising language
Colonisation is the action or process of settling amongst and establishing control over the Indigenous people of an area. As part of the colonisation process, language, culture and alternate ways of thinking are often lost while a dominant way of being and thinking is elevated in society. Decolonisation is the reversal of that process, not by undoing the past, but by reintroducing a diversity of language, perspectives and ideas.
Listen 🎧 Chris Huriwai from Aotearoa Liberation League explains decolonisation
Watch 🎥 Deep listening - Dadirri Aunty Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr
Some simple ways you can help to decolonise language include:
Using traditional place names
Look up the traditional name of the land on which you live and work. Try to use them in public settings such as introductions or greetings to share that history with others.
Add traditional place names to your mail or even zoom names - e.g. “Jake - Gadigal Country”.
Use land councils as a resource to find the correct names of Traditional Countries and use it as a way to acknowledge that there are still First Nations cultures present today that don’t obey colonial boundaries, and that sovereignty was never ceded.
Acknowledgment of Country and Welcome to Country
You can deliver an Acknowledgement of Country at the beginning of meetings or events to share knowledge about the Country you are on, its language and its history from the perspective of its Custodians. This is part of the truth-telling process and can be a great space to engage in the decolonisation process.
You can arrange for a Welcome to Country to be given, if appropriate. Make sure if someone is giving a Welcome to Country, that they are an elder from the country you are on, or have permission from their elders and community. It is inappropriate for anyone to welcome people to a Country that they do not belong to, even if they are a First Nations person.
Read 📖 Principles for Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country
Note: not all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people even do either of these. It should not be assumed. You should always ask someone from that actual country you are on. Be open, transparent, and tell them who you are first and the intention behind. Don’t leave it to the last minute.
Don’t acknowledge present and emerging people and elders of a Traditional Country if there are none. Genocide, colonisation, invasion and the stolen generations mean that some First Nations no longer have present day representatives and it’s important to be aware of the history of an area if you’re giving an Acknowledgement of Country.
Research the language of your local area
Listen, connect, understand. There are many different languages and terminology all over Australia. Understanding and learning about different language can help to unlock new ways of thinking.
Use the resources below to start learning:
Dharawal Words - for Sydney and South Coast NSW based people, Dharawal was a common language for First Nations people of the area.
Map: Map of Indigenous Australia
Global map: Native-Land.ca | Our home on native land
Reading List
If you’re interested in the idea of decolonisation, here are some things you might like to read.
Decolonise to Survive (article) - Ella Noah Bancroft
https://indigenousx.com.au/decolonisation-of-the-workplace-is-more-important-than-ever/
https://indigenousx.com.au/decolonising-uni-a-follow-up/
Continue to 'Inclusive language for talking about LGBTQIA+ people and communities'.
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