First Nations Glossary

Here is a list of terms commonly used in everyday language for some First Nations peoples. These terms are integral to understanding cultures, histories, and identities. Each term carries its own significance and context, reflecting the rich and diverse heritage of First Nations communities. By familiarizing yourself with these terms, you can engage more respectfully and accurately in conversations about First Nations peoples and their traditions.

Aboriginal

Refers to the Indigenous people of mainland Australia and their cultures.

Acknowledgement of Country

Recognises the traditional ownership of the lands upon which an event is held and may be expressed by any person, including someone who is not an Indigenous Australian.

ATSI

In respecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identities, never abbreviate ‘Aboriginal’ or ‘Torres Strait Islander,’ or use the acronym ‘ATSI’.

Bunjil

From some Aboriginal cultures in Victoria and southern Australia, referring to a powerful ancestral being often represented as an eagle. Bunjil is a creator figure and is associated with stories about the creation of the land and the laws governing life.

Community

Often means a close-knit group that shares cultural practices, supports each other, and maintains a collective connection to their land and traditions.

Country

The land and waters that hold cultural, spiritual, and historical significance. It includes not just the physical landscape but also the relationships, stories, and responsibilities tied to it.

Custodian

Refers to the traditional caretakers of the land.

Deadly

A positive term used to describe something as great, excellent, or impressive. It’s often used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to express approval or enthusiasm.

Dreaming/Dreamtime

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander concept of the creation period when ancestral beings shaped the world. It encompasses the spiritual, cultural, and historical stories that explain the origins of the land, people, and life, and continues to influence current cultural practices and beliefs.

Elder

A respected member of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community who is acknowledged for their wisdom, knowledge, and leadership. Elders often guide and support their community, preserving and passing on cultural traditions and practices.

Indigenous

The original people of a place and their descendants, with a long-standing connection to their land and distinct cultural traditions.

Indigenous Australians

Refers to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are the original inhabitants of Australia.

Invasion Day

A term used by some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to refer to January 26. It is seen as a day of mourning and protest against the impact of colonization on Indigenous peoples, contrasting with the celebration of Australia Day.

Koorie

A term used to refer to Aboriginal people from Victoria and southeastern Australia.

Land Rights

The legal recognition and protection of the rights that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to their traditional lands. This includes their right to live on, use, and manage the land according to their customs and traditions.

Lore

The body of traditional knowledge, customs, and stories passed down through generations in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. It includes beliefs, practices, and teachings related to law, spirituality, and the natural world.

Mabo

A landmark Australian legal case in 1992, named after Eddie Mabo, a Torres Strait Islander man who challenged the notion of "terra nullius". The case resulted in the recognition of native title rights for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, acknowledging their connection to the land prior to European settlement.

Men’s/Women’s Business

Central to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is the separation of men’s and women’s business. This isn’t a discriminatory or sexist separation and isn’t to the detriment of either party. Instead, it focuses on roles, ceremonies and lore that are specific and sacred to men and women individually. Men are not to know what happens in women’s business and women cannot know what happens in men’s business.

Missions

Settlements run by governments or churches to assimilate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples into European culture, often controlling their lives and disrupting their traditions.

Mob

Used to refer to a group of people who belong to the same family, clan, or social group. It can also mean a broader community or group of friends. The term emphasizes connections and shared identity within the group.

NAIDOC

National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. NAIDOC Week is held each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Native Title

The legal recognition of the rights and interests that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have in their traditional lands and waters. It acknowledges their ongoing connection to the land and allows them to use and manage it according to their customs and traditions.

Ochre

A natural clay pigment that comes in various colours, like red, yellow, and brown. It has been used for thousands of years by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in artwork, ceremonies, and body painting. It’s often ground into a powder and mixed with water or animal fat to create paint.

Reconciliation

Reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians. It’s an ongoing journey to remedy past wrongs and create meaningful change for Indigenous Australians.

Reserves

Areas of land set aside by the government for the use and management of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. These lands are designated to provide a space where communities can live, practice their culture, and manage their resources, though they may come with specific regulations and restrictions.

Scarred Tree

A tree that has had its bark removed in a way that leaves a lasting mark. This practice was used by Aboriginal peoples to make tools, canoes, or containers, or to create paths and markers.

Site

Refers to a specific place of cultural, historical, or spiritual significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It could be a location with important artifacts, artwork, ceremonies, or natural features that hold meaning.

Songline

A traditional song used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to navigate land. It includes directions, landmarks, and information about the land, like safe food sources and boundaries of different groups' territories. Markers in songlines can be rock formations, river bends, or uniquely shaped trees.

Sorry Business

An important cultural tradition and time of mourning, often for death or illness, with responsibilities and obligations to attend funerals and participate in other community events, activities or ceremonies.

Sovereignty

The authority and right of a group or nation to govern itself and make its own decisions without outside interference. For First Nations peoples, sovereignty involves their right to self-determination, control over their land and resources, and the ability to maintain and develop their own cultural practices and governance systems.

Stolen Generation

Refers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families by Australian government policies from the late 1800s to the 1970s. This policy aimed to assimilate Indigenous children into white society, disrupting their cultural connections and causing long-term social and emotional harm.

Terra Nullius

A Latin term meaning "land belonging to no one." It was used to justify the colonization of lands that were already inhabited by Indigenous peoples, by claiming that these lands were unoccupied or unclaimed.

Tidda

A term used in some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to refer to a close female friend or sister. It reflects a strong, supportive relationship similar to that of family.

Torres Strait Islander

The Indigenous people of the Torres Strait Islands, located between the northern tip of Queensland, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. They have their own distinct culture, languages, and traditions that are different from those of Aboriginal Australians.

Traditional Owners/Custodians

The First Nations people who have a deep, ongoing connection to a particular area of land or water. They are recognized as the original caretakers of that land, with knowledge, culture, and responsibilities passed down through generations.

Treaty

A treaty is an official agreement between First Nations groups and governments. It outlines rights, responsibilities, and arrangements, often related to land, resources, and self-governance. Treaties are meant to recognize and protect the rights of First Nations peoples.

Welcome to Country

A formal ceremony held at the beginning of an event or gathering. It’s a way for the traditional custodians of the land—often an Elder or representative from a local First Nations community—to acknowledge their connection to the land and welcome visitors.

Yarn

Means to have a conversation or tell a story. It's a term often used in First Nations cultures to describe the act of sharing thoughts, experiences, and knowledge in a relaxed and informal way.

Yarning Circle

Traditional method used by many First Nations communities to have important conversations and share stories. People sit in a circle, and each person takes turns speaking while others listen. It’s a respectful way to exchange ideas, solve problems, and build community connections.

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