Glossary

Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander/First Nations: The collective names used to describe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are commonly used in reference to the distinct diversity of First Nations peoples. The term ‘Aboriginal’ is not inclusive of Torres Strait Islander people as the term ‘Torres Strait Islander’ is not inclusive of Aboriginal people. In respect of both cultural groups, we use ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’ when collectively referring to our peoples.

ACCO: Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation.

Blackfulla: A term that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members use to refer to each other and themselves.

Brother/boy: A term that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members use to refer to male identifying friends and family members.

Community: Networks of family, kin and friends.

Culture and identity: We define culture and identity together as they are interconnected, complex and dynamic. Culture and identity are essential to a person’s belonging and sense of self and can be defined in many different ways.

Elder: A senior, respected member of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Family: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family connections go far beyond immediate family. SNAICC describes the large networks of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and their importance in children’s lives, “family is the cornerstone of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, spirituality and identity. As an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child grows up, maintaining their connections to family and community forms the basis of the development of the child’s identity as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, their cultural connectedness and their emerging spirituality…Those involved in children’s lives, and helping to raise them, commonly include grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and members of the community who are considered to be family.”

Intergenerational trauma: The Healing Foundation describes intergenerational trauma as, “the trauma experienced by Indigenous people as a result of colonisation and subsequent policies, such as the forced removal of children, has had devastating consequences. The disruption of our culture and the negative impacts on the cultural identity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples has had lasting negative effects, passed from generation to generation. The cumulative effect of historical and intergenerational trauma severely reduces the capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to fully and positively participate in their lives and communities, thereby leading to widespread disadvantage.”

Koori/Koorie: The Koorie Youth Council uses Koorie in its title as a term inclusive of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Victoria. We have retained the spelling of Koori/Koorie in this resource as it appears in programs, services and quotes.

KYC: Koorie Youth Council

LGBTIQA+: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Intersex, Queer or Questioning, Asexual.

Mob: Used by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to describe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities or a groups of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Self-determination: Self-determination is the right to free choice and determination of one’s future.

Sister/girl: A term that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members use to refer to female identifying friends and family members.

Social and emotional wellbeing: The Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association describes social and emotional wellbeing as a holistic view of health that “incorporates the physical, social, emotional, and cultural wellbeing of individuals and their communities.”

Yarn: Used by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, ‘yarn’ means to share informal dialogue.

Youth participation: Young people having genuine and meaningful involvement in decision-making processes in a way that recognises and values their skills, knowledge, experiences and rights to self-determination, as defined by us at KYC.

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