r/IndigenousAustralia

1.3K archived posts · Apr 2014 – Mar 2025

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders **WARNING FOR ALL ATSI peoples**: This subreddit may contain images and videos of those who have passed away. A subreddit for and about Indigenous Australians, for all to **respectfully** contribute.

Created Apr 9, 2014

5.5KMembers (last snapshot)

1.3KArchived posts

Inclusive Language (Monash University)

It is a mark of respect to refer to an Aboriginal person by their language or cultural group, if you know it. In other words, prefer ‘a Wurundjeri elder’ to ‘an Aboriginal woman’. (Do not assume, however, that all elderly Indigenous people are ‘elders’.)

To refer to the entire Indigenous community, or if you don’t know someone’s clan, use terms like ‘Aboriginal Australians’, ‘Indigenous Australians’, ‘Aboriginal people’, or ‘first Australians’. Use ‘Aboriginal’ or ‘Indigenous’ as adjectives.

Be aware that Aboriginal people who have been displaced may not know their language or cultural group.

Always capitalise ‘Indigenous’ and ‘Aboriginal’ when you’re referring to Australian Aboriginals.

Terms like Koori and Nyoongar are not interchangeable for ‘Indigenous’. They refer specifically to a group of Indigenous Australians who identify with a specific area and language. Respect this distinction.

Some Aboriginal people refer to themselves as ‘blacks’ or ‘Aborigines’, but others consider these terms offensive. If you are not an Indigenous Australian, avoid them.

Spell it Torres Strait Islanders. Never use the terms ‘islanders’ or ‘native’ — many people find them offensive.

Together, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders make up Australia’s indigenous population. Always spell it out – do not use the acronym ‘ATSI’.

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