Indigenous Australians are people with familial heritage from, and/or recognised membership of, the various ethnic groups living within the territory of present day Australia prior to British colonisation.^[3][4] They consist of two distinct groups, which includes many ethnic groups: the Aboriginal Australians of the mainland and many islands, including Tasmania, and the Torres Strait Islanders of the seas between Queensland and Papua New Guinea, located in Melanesia. The term Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples or the person's specific cultural group, is often preferred, though the terms First Nations of Australia, First Peoples of Australia and First Australians are also increasingly common;^[5][a] 812,728 people self-identified as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin in the 2021 Australian Census, representing 3.2% of the total population of Australia. Of these Indigenous Australians, 91.4% identified as Aboriginal; 4.2% identified as Torres Strait Islander; while 4.4% identified with both groups.^[7] Since 1995, the Australian Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag have been official flags of Australia.

The time of arrival of the first human beings in Australia is a matter of debate and ongoing investigation. The earliest conclusively human remains found in Australia are those of Mungo Man LM3 and Mungo Lady, which have been dated to around 40,000 years ago,^[8] although Indigenous Australians have most likely been living in Australia for upwards of 65,000 years.^[9] Isolated for millennia by rising sea water after the last Ice Age, Australian Aboriginal peoples developed a variety of regional cultures and languages, invented distinct artistic and religious traditions, and affected the environment of the continent in a number of ways through hunting, fire-stick farming, and possibly the introduction of the dog. Technologies for warfare and hunting like the boomerang and spear were constructed of natural materials, as were musical instruments like the didgeridoo.

Although there are a number of cultural commonalities among Indigenous Australians, there is also a great diversity among different communities.^[10] The 2022 Australian census recorded 167 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages used at home by some 76,978 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.^[7] At the time of European colonisation, it is estimated that there were over 250 Aboriginal languages. It is now estimated that all but 13 remaining Indigenous languages are considered endangered.^[11][12] Aboriginal people today mostly speak English, with Aboriginal phrases and words being added to create Australian Aboriginal English (which also has a tangible influence of Indigenous languages in the phonology and grammatical structure). Around three quarters of Australian place names are of Aboriginal origin.^[13]

The Indigenous population prior to European settlement was small, with estimates ranging widely from 318,000^[14] to over 3,000,000^[15] in total, with the distribution being similar to that of the current Australian population, the majority living in the south-east, centred along the Murray River.^[16] The First Fleet of British settlers arrived on instructions to "live in amity and kindness" with the Aboriginal population.^[17] Nevertheless, a population collapse principally from disease followed European colonisation,^[18][19] beginning with a smallpox epidemic spreading three years after the arrival of Europeans. Massacres and frontier conflicts involving European settlers also contributed to depopulation.^[20][21] From the 19th to the mid-20th century, government policy removed many mixed heritage children from Aboriginal communities, which was judged "genocidal" in the Bringing Them Home report (1997).^[22][23]

Terminologyedit

Variationsedit

There are a number of appropriate terms to use when referring to Aboriginal peoples of Australia, but there is general agreement that it is important to respect the "preferences of individuals, families, or communities, and allow them to define what they are most comfortable with" when referring to Aboriginal people.^[5]

The word 'aboriginal' has been in the English language since at least the 16th century to mean "first or earliest known, indigenous". It comes from the Latin ab (from) and origo (origin, beginning).^[24] The term was used in Australia to describe its Aboriginal peoples as early as 1789. It became capitalised and was employed as the common name to refer to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, although today the latter are not included in the term. The term "Aborigine" (as opposed to "Aboriginal") is often disfavoured, being regarded as having colonialist connotations.^[3][5][25]

While the term "Indigenous Australians" has grown in popularity since the 1980s,^[26] many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples dislike it, feeling that it is too generic^[6] and removes their identity. However, many people think that the term is useful and convenient, and can be used where appropriate.^[5]

In recent years, "First Nations",^[27] "First Peoples"^[28] and "First Australians" have become more common.^[5]

Being as specific as possible, for example naming the language group (such as Arrernte), demonym relating to geographic area (such as Nunga), is considered best practice and most respectful.^{[according to whom?]}

Terms "Black" and "Blackfella"edit

The term "Black" has been used to refer to Aboriginal Australians since European colonisation.^[29] While originally related to skin colour and often used pejoratively,^[5] the term is used today to indicate Aboriginal heritage or culture in general and refers to any people of such heritage regardless of their level of skin pigmentation.^[30] In the 1970s, many Aboriginal activists, such as Gary Foley, proudly embraced the term "Black", and writer Kevin Gilbert's book from the time was entitled Living Black. The book included interviews with several members of the Aboriginal community, including Robert Jabanungga, reflecting on contemporary Aboriginal culture.^[31] Use of this term varies depending on context and its use needs care as it may be deemed inappropriate.^[5] The term "Black" has sometimes caused confusion with African immigrants.^[32] Zdroj:https://en.wikipedia.org?pojem=Aboriginal_and_Torres_Strait_Islander
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