Genuine question about Aboriginal culture...

[NicNac]

The word indigenous can really apply to anyone who is "of" a particular place. Eg I was born in Australia and live here and am therefore indigenous to Australia.
The word aborigine refers to the first people. I have also heard the word aborigine used to refer to the first people of Canada.
So I guess what it comes down to is how the words are commonly used (which is often incorrectly) and then what they actually mean.

[Amaunet]

When the term indigenous is used to refer to people, it is generally taken to mean first people's, not just people of that nationality. I am Australian, but not indigenous. Aborigine is a word that also literally means indigenous.

[nothing2lose]

This might help.

http://www.health.qld.gov.au/atsihea...erminology.pdf

Guidelines for correct use of ‘Indigenous’
As ‘Indigenous’ is not specific, some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people feel the term diminishes their identity and should be avoided. Queensland Health’s preference is to primarily use ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’; however in certain circumstances ‘Indigenous’ with capitalisation is acceptable.
 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Queenslander (preferable)
 Indigenous Queenslander (acceptable)

The lowercase word ‘indigenous’ is only used when referring to people originating in more than one region or country, therefore, when referring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, lowercase ‘indigenous’ is not acceptable.

[LimeSlice]

We touched on this in a unit I did at uni last year.

Basically, it implies they are all the same - that they all come from the some cultural and societal groups, which is hugely incorrect. The idea of them all being 'one people' (for want of a better phrase) is viewed as being a product of British subjugation and ignorance of the way the nations functioned.

So, it would be like speaking Europeans as a whole race, with no reverence for the fact that "Europeans" are actually German, and French and Polish...etc.

The Koori people prefer to be called Koori, the Bunurong would rather be identified as Bunurong. Like Australian's in general may well prefer to be called Australian's than "Oceanic people".