Not all Aboriginal people are dark skinned; it’s highly offensive to question the quantum of Aboriginal blood or to expect an Aboriginal person to divide their Aboriginality into parts. Self- Identifying terms Aboriginal peoples have terms of reference by which they may identify themselves. These terms are directly derived from languages & names used by Aboriginal people in specific areas when referring to them-selves. Palawa: used by Aboriginal people in & from Tasmania. Koori: used by Aboriginal people in & from Victoria & parts of New South Wales. Gorri: used by Aboriginal people in & from Northern New South Wales used by Aboriginal people in & from Queensland & North-West New South Wales Yolngu: used by Aboriginal people in & from Northern Territory ( North-East Arnhem Land) used by Aboriginal people in & from Central Australia Anangu: Nunga: used by Aboriginal people in & from South Australia Ngarrindjeri- South Australia ,Murray River, Lakes, Coorong people Noongar: used by Aboriginal people in & from South-West Western Australia Torres Strait Islander People: includes Murray Island people and Mer Island People Always check with the local Aboriginal Communities about using this type of terminology. There are many different Aboriginal language groups within the above mentioned areas & the use of these terms can be restrictive. Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander People may be living or working in one particular area but is from another area. Terminology within Aboriginal Organisations & Communities Traditional Owners of the land In the Central Highlands Region the Traditional Owners of the lands are the WadaWurrung & the Dja Dja Wurrung people Community There are many different perspectives on what is a Non Aboriginal people often use ‘community’. to refer to particular geographical locality. It’s important to understand, however, that ‘community’ many Aboriginal people were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands to live elsewhere. For instance, the Traditional Owners of Ballarat lands are the WadaWurrung people. Today the ‘Ballarat Aboriginal Community’ comprises Aboriginal people from many areas of Victoria & Australia. Therefore, an Aboriginal person many belong to more than one community; for example, where they come from, where their family is & where they live & work. Community is about interrelatedness & belonging & is central to Aboriginality. Elder
Not all Aboriginal people are dark skinned; it’s highly offensive to question the quantum of Aboriginal blood or to expect an Aboriginal person to divide their Aboriginality into parts. Self- Identifying terms Aboriginal peoples have terms of reference by which they may identify themselves. These terms are directly derived from languages & names used by Aboriginal people in specific areas when referring to them-selves. Palawa: used by Aboriginal people in & from Tasmania. Koori: used by Aboriginal people in & from Victoria & parts of New South Wales. Gorri: used by Aboriginal people in & from Northern New South Wales used by Aboriginal people in & from Queensland & North-West New South Wales Yolngu: used by Aboriginal people in & from Northern Territory ( North-East Arnhem Land) Anangu: used by Aboriginal people in & from Central Australia Nunga: used by Aboriginal people in & from South Australia Ngarrindjeri- South Australia ,Murray River, Lakes, Coorong people Noongar: used by Aboriginal people in & from South-West Western Australia Torres Strait Islander People: includes Murray Island people and Mer Island People Always check with the local Aboriginal Communities about using this type of terminology. There are many different Aboriginal language groups within the above mentioned areas & the use of these terms can be restrictive. Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander People may be living or working in one particular area but is from another area. Terminology within Aboriginal Organisations & Communities Traditional Owners of the land In the Central Highlands Region the Traditional Owners of the lands are the WadaWurrung & the Dja Dja Wurrung people Community There are many different perspectives on what is a ‘community’. Non Aboriginal people often use ‘community’ to refer to particular geographical locality. It’s important to understand, however, that many Aboriginal people were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands to live elsewhere. For instance, the Traditional Owners of Ballarat lands are the WadaWurrung people. Today the ‘Ballarat Aboriginal Community’ comprises Aboriginal people from many areas of Victoria & Australia. Therefore, an Aboriginal person many belong to more than one community; for example, where they come from, where their family is & where they live & work. Community is about interrelatedness & belonging & is central to Aboriginality. Elder
Central-Highlands-Aboriginal-terms-3.docx