There is no single Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander identity. First Nations peoples are often called Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. But there is significant diversity within these 2 groups.

There is a wide range of nations, cultures and languages across mainland Australia and throughout the Torres Strait. Given this diversity, respectful language use depends on what different communities find appropriate.

‘Aboriginal’ is a broad term that groups nations and custodians of mainland Australia and most of the islands, including Tasmania, K’gari, Palm Island, Mornington Island, Groote Eylandt, Bathurst and Melville Islands.

‘Torres Strait Islander’ is a broad term grouping the peoples of at least 274 small islands between the northern tip of Cape York in Queensland and the south-west coast of Papua New Guinea. Many Torres Strait Islander peoples live on the Australian mainland. There are also 2 Torres Strait Islander communities at Bamaga and Seisia, within the Northern Peninsula area of Queensland.

Use culturally appropriate and respectful language when writing with, for or about First Nations peoples. Basic respectful language means using:

• specific terms, like the name of a community, before using broader terms
• plurals when speaking about collectives (peoples, nations, cultures, languages)
• present tense, unless speaking about a past event
• empowering, strengths-based language.

Language that can be discriminatory or offensive includes:

• shorthand terms like ‘Aborigines', ‘Islanders’ or acronyms like ‘ATSI’
• using terms like ‘myth’, ‘legend’ or ‘folklore’ when referring to the beliefs of First Nations people
• blood quantums (for example, ‘half-caste’ or percentage measures)
• ‘us versus them’ or deficit language
• possessive terms such as ‘our’, as in ‘our Aboriginal peoples’

Many texts have referred to First Nations peoples in the past tense, but this use of past tense continues the historical erasure of First Nations peoples and continuing cultures. Be conscious of this habit and write to reflect the continuing cultural activities of First Nations peoples.

Always ask for people’s preferences about what they want to be called or how they want to identify. It is usually more respectful to be specific.

Use the following hierarchy based on what you are writing. If writing about:

• a specific group, use their nation, island or community name
• many Aboriginal nations, there may be a regional term that is better, such as ‘Murris’ or ‘Kooris’
• many Torres Strait Islander peoples or islands, there may be a regional term that is more appropriate, such as Kulkalgal (encompassing the central islands of Masig, Poruma, Warraber and Iama)
• both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, use terms such as ‘First Nations peoples’, ‘First Australians’ or ‘Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples’.

‘Indigenous’ and ‘Aboriginal’ are broad terms imposed on First Nations peoples without consultation. These are not words they chose for themselves, and while the term ‘Indigenous Australians’ is in common use, many First Nations peoples may not be comfortable with it.

'Indigenous Australians' is a blanket term that homogenises a wide array of peoples and cultures. This can cause offence. If you must use this term, remember to only do so when writing generally about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The term Indigenous should always be capitalised.

Content about First Nations peoples has often focused on ‘problems’. This has 2 outcomes: making First Nations peoples ‘the problem’, or continuing a deficit discourse. Neither is acceptable.

It’s important to acknowledge the many wrongs and ongoing injustices that stem from our shared history. But it is just as important to acknowledge the strength of those First Nations peoples whose cultures survive and thrive today.

When writing, make sure to:

• Use empowering, strengths-based language.
• Tell positive stories.
• Emphasise ongoing connections to community, culture and country.

Consultation starts with Elders of the community. They might not be living on their Traditional Country, or there might be multiple groups to consult. If it’s not clear who you need to talk to, there are many community organisations that exist today and can help. These include land councils, housing, medical, legal or social organisations.

These groups will likely have a direct link to Traditional Owners and/or Elders they can help you contact. There is clear information about communities within the region on the Torres Strait Regional Authority's website. They are able to do this because it is a geographically small area.

Cross-cultural communication is not easy. Some basic starting points include:

• Communicate clearly without jargon or acronyms.
• Understand that Community concerns will take precedence over your request.
• Make sure to build in plenty of time around the request to support this. When receiving a response, listen. Body language is also important, so pay attention to what is not said.
• Understand that silence is an important part of First Nations peoples communication.
• Do your research. Don't place the full cultural load of answers or solutions on the First Nations peoples with whom you are collaborating.

Some of the information on this page has been taken from the Australian Government's Style manual for using culturally appropriate and respectful language when writing with, for or about First Nations peoples. For more information on respectful communicating and collaborating with First Nations peoples or groups, check out the following websites: