A glossary for talking about First Nations topics
CW: racism, violence, colonialism
It’s really important to use the right words when writing about and discussing First Nations topics. When we learn appropriate terminology and understand the truth of so-called Australia’s colonial past and present, we can be respectful of First Nations folk and strive towards allyship.
Sadly, education around First Nations culture and history remains under-taught at our schools and universities. Why? Because we live in a British colony, where silence around these topics is created on purpose to try and make people forget the violence this nation has been built on. This is why it’s important to make the effort to educate ourselves and go beyond the curriculum. Once we have this knowledge, we can work towards First Nations justice.
Here we’ve compiled a beginner’s guide to talking about First Nations topics, so you can understand what people mean when they refer to ‘mob’ and say things like ‘sovereignty never ceded’. Learning is the first step to respectfully engaging in these conversations, so let’s get stuck in!
Aboriginal
‘Aboriginal’ usually refers to the First Nations people of mainland Australia, not including those of the Torres Strait region. When referring to all First Nations people in what is now called ‘Australia’, we should use ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’.
Assimilation
Broadly speaking, ‘assimilation’ is a process where people of marginalised ethnic backgrounds are absorbed into the dominant culture. From 1910 to 1970, this was forced upon Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children through a government policy of assimilation. Under this policy, it was legal to forcibly remove First Nations children from their family, make them adopt white culture, and try to systematically erase their culture. These forcibly removed children are referred to as ‘the Stolen Generations’. See our definition for the Stolen Generations to learn more.
Blak
You might’ve seen people use the term ‘Blak’ before, and wondered why the ‘c’ is left out. Well, ‘Blak’ was first used by Kuku and Erub/Mer artist Destiny Deacon in 1991 as a direct response to the labelling and misrepresentation of First Nations people. Destiny wanted to reclaim colonialist language to create an empowering means of self-definition and expression. ‘Blak’ is now widely used by First Nations people, and is often seen to take back power and control. Check out this article to learn more about the origins of this word.
Colonialism
Colonialism is when one country violently invades and takes control of another country, then claims the land as their own. British colonisers invaded Aboriginal land in 1788 and stole it on the basis of ‘terra nullius’ (or ‘land belonging to no one’, see definition below), committing genocide and oppressing First Nations folk till this day. Learn more about colonialism here.
Community
Important elements of a community for First Nations folk are Country, family ties, and shared experience. Community is about connection and belonging, and is central to Aboriginality. First Nations people may belong to more than one community.
The Colony
The phrase the Colony can be used to describe the British colonial political entity that is ‘Australia’. The Colony is a useful term to acknowledge the systemic oppression and continued colonisation of First Nations people in the land we’re on. e.g. when someone experiences systemic racism, they might say “Another day in the Colony”. It is often capitalised.
Country
The Aboriginal usage of the word Country is not directly related to the English word country — it is unique to an Indigenous cultural worldview. The term is complex and can refer to ideas about law, place, custom, language, spiritual belief and Dreaming, cultural practice, and more.
Yawuru man, Professor Mick Dodson explains it well:
“When we talk about traditional ‘Country’… we mean something beyond the dictionary definition of the word… For us, Country is a word for all the values, places, resources, stories and cultural obligations associated with that area and its features. It describes the entirety of our ancestral domains.”
Decolonisation
Decolonisation aims to end colonisation and liberate those who were colonised. This involves taking down the ‘colonial state’ and its laws. The ultimate goal is the self-determination (see definition below) of those who were colonised. Check out our page on colonialism to learn more and other articles about decolonisation here and here.
The Dreaming
The Dreaming is the worldview which gives shape to many First Nations cultures, providing a way of understanding the world and the place of humans within it. The Dreaming can explain the creation of the universe and how things came to be, the creation of life, and the rules and laws for living. It should always be capitalised to distinguish it from ordinary ‘dreaming’.
Elder
An Elder is a highly respected person within First Nations communities, who has gained recognition as a custodian of knowledge and lore. They are consulted for their experience, wisdom, and insight. Elder doesn’t necessarily equate with age.
First Nations
The term ‘First Nations people’ can be used to refer to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
First Peoples
The term ‘First Peoples’ can be used to refer to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Indigenous
People who are native to a place or area, originating in and characterising a particular region or country.
Indigenous Australians
This is sometimes used to refer to First Nations people, but it’s important to be aware that many First Nations people don’t like this term.
Invasion Day
Invasion Day is commemorated every year on 26 January to honour and mourn the lives lost as a result of British invasion, which began on 26 January 1788. You’ve probably heard it being referred to as ‘Australia Day’, which is really offensive for First Nations folk as it’s a day to mourn, not celebrate. Invasion Day is also known as Survival Day, Day of Mourning, or simply 26 Jan. It’s about commemorating the fact that despite invasion, colonisation, and the resulting trauma of First Nations people, they have survived. Every year, there are many Invasion Day protests and events held around the country.
Land Rights
The struggle of First Nations people to gain recognition of their land ownership and right to their homelands. First Nations people have occupied the lands and waters of what is now known as ‘Australia’ for millennia. Since the beginning of colonisation, they have defended their land rights — learn more about the modern land rights movement here.
Language group
The land we now know as ‘Australia’ is made up of hundreds of distinct First Nations groups, each with their own culture, customs, language and laws. These groups are referred to as ‘language groups’, with some examples including Woiworung and Boonwurrung. Many First Nations people identify themselves through their language group. They can also be referred to as ‘nations’. Check out this map to see more!
Missions
Missions are areas originally set up and governed by religious groups to house First Nations people. Missions implemented government policies and have dark histories. In the 19th and 20th centuries, many First Nations people were forced to leave their Country to live on missions. Those in missions were often subject to poor living conditions and abuse, and have resulted in ongoing trauma. Learn more about missions here.
Mob
‘Mob’ is a colloquial term identifying a group of First Nations people associated with a particular place or country. Mob can represent a First Nations person’s family group, clan group or wider community group.
Native Title
This is a form of land title that recognises First Nations people as the rightful owners of their land. It involves a prolonged legal process, where it might be taken to court. The Native Title Act came about after the Mabo decision in 1992, which was a significant event as it brought native title into Australian law. In this case, the High Court ruled that the Meriam people were entitled to the Murray Islands. Learn more about native title here.
Reconciliation
A Commonwealth initiative that aims to strengthen relationships between First Nations people and non-First Nations people, and create equity by addressing disadvantages faced by First Nations communities.
Self-determination
When First Nations people determine their affairs for themselves, rather than by colonial powers. This involves decision making, interacting with non-First Nations parties, and coming up with solutions to various issues affecting their community.
So-called Australia
This is a way of acknowledging that ‘Australia’ is a colonial creation, and that First Nations people and cultures have existed on these lands long before the idea of ‘Australia’ came about.
Songline
Songlines are pathways across the land tracing the journey of creator-beings that made lakes, rivers, plants, and living creatures during the Dreaming. Songlines have been a central part of First Nations cultures for tens of thousands of years, and are recorded in traditional songs, stories, dances, and painting. They explain the origins of the land and the laws people live by. Check out this video explainer about songlines to learn more.
Sorry business
An important cultural tradition of mourning. This is a time that comes with responsibilities and obligations to attend funerals and participate in other community events, activities or ceremonies.
Sovereignty
Sovereignty means having the ultimate power and authority over a people and territory. If there is a sovereign entity, no other person, group, tribe or state can tell that entity what to do. Having sovereignty means being able to make decisions around the law, how the land is used, and more, without any external influence (within the limitations of international law). When people say “sovereignty never ceded”, it means the sovereignty of First Nations people was never given up to British colonisers — it was unlawfully and violently taken away.
The Stolen Generations
Since colonisation, a number of government laws, policies, and practices led to the forced removal of First Nations children from their families and communities. These children were raised in institutions or fostered/adopted by non-First Nations families. They are known as the Stolen Generations, and while the exact number of removed children is unknown, very few First Nations families have been left unaffected. This broke important cultural, spiritual, and family ties and has had a lasting intergenerational impact on the lives of First Nations people. Hear from Sheila Humphries, a voice of the Stolen Generations, here.
Terra Nullius
A latin term that means ‘nobody’s land’ or ‘land belonging to nobody’. This was a supposedly ‘legal’ concept used by the British government to justify the settlement of Australia, when First nations people have inhabited the lands for thousands of years. Learn more here.
Torres Strait Islanders
The First Peoples of the Torres Strait region, north of what is now known as ‘Queensland’. They are distinct from mainland Aboriginal people.
Traditional Custodians / Owners
The First Nations people who belong to a certain area of land (or Country) and have the cultural obligation to maintain it. Either Traditional Custodians or Traditional Owners can be used, but they have slightly different meanings. ‘Custodians’ considers that in First Nations cultures the land owns its people (rather than the other way around), while ‘Owners’ respects that it is Aboriginal land.
Treaty
A treaty is a negotiated agreement accepted around the world as a means of resolving differences between Indigenous peoples and those who have colonised their lands. Treaties have been made in the US, Aotearoa New Zealand, and Canada, but no formal treaty has ever been signed between First Nations people and the British or Australian governments, even though First Nations people have been calling for it for a long time. Treaties include important arrangements about land rights, native title, and the managing of natural resources. Learn more about treaty here.
Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country
You’ve probably heard either a Welcome to Country or Acknowledgement of Country at the very beginning of an event before, but many get confused about the difference. A Welcome to Country can only be delivered by the Traditional Owners/Custodians of the land on which an event takes place. A Welcome to Country is a very special thing, as you are hearing from a First Nations Elder with ancestral and ongoing connections to the lands, waterways, and seas on which an event is taking place. An Acknowledgement of Country is more common, and can be made by a First Nations or non-First Nations person. It’s about acknowledging First Nations ownership and custodianship of land, their ancestors and traditions, and is an important sign of respect.
There are many more terms, but these are just some to get you started. Most of this information has been sourced from Creative Spirits and AIATSIS — we highly recommend checking them out.
We also recommend our Glossary for talking about racism for more info on relevant terms like ‘racism’, ‘discrimination’, and more.
Check out this great video, where Yorta Yorta woman Summer May Finlay talks through proper terminology and why it’s important!
Words NOT to use
Sadly there are also many derogatory words, which exist due to the ongoing mistreatment, stereotyping, and segregation of First Nations people, so we need to make sure we do NOT use those terms as they will offend and harm First Nations communities. Head to Creative Spirits for a comprehensive explanation of words you shouldn’t use, and what you can use instead.
Further guidelines
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4m0X-YxdeG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
- Always capitalise. No matter which term you settle on (such as ‘First Nations’, ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’ and ‘First Peoples’), ALWAYS capitalise the term as a sign of respect.
- Be specific. Always try to use the name of the community or the nation of a person rather than generic terms, e.g. “she is a Koori woman” instead of “she is an Aboriginal woman”
- Acknowledge diversity. Use plurals to indicate you are aware of diversity, e.g. peoples, nations, cultures, histories, perspectives
- Use present tense. First Nations cultures and peoples exist right now. Only use past tense for things that are history.
- Emphasise strength. Use language that resonates with strength and empowerment, rather than need and deficiency.
- Avoid stereotypes. Be very aware of common myths and stereotypes and avoid them at all costs.
These guidelines have been sourced from Creative Spirits and UnMonumental.
What next?
Now that you’re more familiar with the terminology to talk about First Nations topics, we recommend checking out our pages on First Nations justice and striving towards allyship.
We also recommend paying the rent, and supporting and learning from these awesome First Nations organisations:
