Terminologies and definitions

The fluid nature of Aboriginal languages means that there is no unified language shared across all of Australia - there are many instances where words from different language groups have similar meanings.  This list is meant as a basic guide to the terms used throughout these essays

Aboriginal refers to individuals born on the mainland of Australia with direct family lineage to known Aboriginal language groups and nations.

Torres Strait Islander refers to individuals born on the Islands of the 14 islands of the Torres Strait stretching from Thursday Island to the northern most.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent refers to individuals with direct family lineage to known Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language groups and nations not living in the geographic locations of their family heritage.

Indigenous refers to the legal definition of Individuals ethnic origins used in the international context of first nation’s peoples.

Koori (or Koorie) in New South Wales and Victoria (Victorian Aborigines)

Ngunnawal in the Australian Capital Territory and surrounding areas of New South Wales

Murri in Queensland

Murrdi Southwest and Central Queensland

Noongar southern Western Australia

Yamatji in central Western Australia

Wangai in the Western Australian Goldfields

Nunga in southern South Australia

Anangu in northern South Australia, and neighbouring parts of Western Australia and Northern Territory

Yapa in western central Northern Territory

Yolngu in eastern Arnhem Land (NT)

Tiwi on Tiwi Islands off Arnhem Land.

Anindilyakwa on Groote Eylandt off Arnhem Land

Palawah (or Pallawah) in Tasmania.[6]

Australian South Sea Islander refers to descendents of the South Sea Island nations who were brought to Australia between 1840 and 1901 and worked as indentured labourers in Queensland and northern NSW.