Indigenous australians

Indigenous Australians

Indigenous Australians (pronunciation: /ɪnˈdɪdʒɪnəs ɒˈstreɪliənz/) are people who are descended from groups that lived in Australia and surrounding islands before British colonisation. They include the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia. The term Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is preferred by many; First Nations of Australia is also increasingly common.

Etymology

The term "Indigenous" comes from the Latin word indigena, which means "sprung from the land; native". Therefore, an Indigenous Australian means a person who is native to Australia.

Related Terms

• Aboriginal Australians: Aboriginal Australians are legally defined as people who are members "of the Aboriginal race of Australia" (indigenous to mainland Australia or to the island of Tasmania).
• Torres Strait Islanders: Torres Strait Islanders are the indigenous people of the Torres Strait Islands, part of Queensland, Australia. They are culturally and genetically Melanesian people, as are the people of Papua New Guinea.
• First Nations: This term is used to describe Indigenous peoples in Canada, and it is also used in Australia to encompass the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

History

Indigenous Australians are believed to have first arrived on the Australian mainland by boat from the Malay Archipelago between 40,000 and 60,000 years ago. The Torres Strait Islanders, ethnically Melanesian, were originally horticulturists and hunter-gatherers.

Culture

Indigenous Australian culture includes a variety of practices and performances, including the Didgeridoo, a wind instrument created by Indigenous Australians and noted for its unique sound; the Rainbow Serpent, a common deity often seen in Indigenous Australian art; and Dreamtime, a term used to describe the Indigenous Australian worldview.

Health

Indigenous Australians have lower life expectancies and higher rates of health issues than the non-Indigenous population. This includes a higher incidence of diabetes, respiratory diseases, and heart disease. Efforts are being made to close the gap in health outcomes.

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