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I am interested to hear if any one has any feedback/information about a word I used last week when delivering a program. I used the word Indigenous & was given feedback that this is 'Racist" I am interested to see that this website uses this language. I was unaware that this was a "racist" word & am following up for myself to make sure I don't offend Aboriginal people
Thanks Sue

Hi Sue. As I said in response to your query in a previous thread Racism. No way! is a national cross-sectoral project sponsored by the Commonwealth and all states and territories' governments. NSW preferred 'Aboriginal People', Qld used 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples', the Commonwealth uses 'Indigenous' etc so we went with the Commonwealth. I have checked with our (NSW) Aboriginal Education and Training Directorate and they tell me that 'Aboriginal People' is becoming the more used but there is certainly nothing 'racist' about 'Indigenous'. Cheers Webkeeper

Hi Sue, I also responded to this comment under the 'How can the government help the Indigenous Australians?' thread.

Indigenous is an umbrella term used for Aborigines and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The word for Australia's original peoples is Aborigines. Aboriginal is an outdated term.

You can find more information at www.reconciliation.org or www.shareourpride.org.au