Five mistakes people make in conversation with Aboriginal people

As part of Reconciliation Week 2019 we’re taking the time to sit down with Danny Teece-Johnson, our colleague from NITV, to chat about how to avoid putting your foot in your mouth when chatting with Aboriginal people.

Australian Aboriginal flag Source: AAP

Culture is complex, so when you're chatting to someone from a different culture than your own, it's easy to make a mistake and offend your counterpart, for any number of unexpected reasons.

This can happen especially when you're having a yarn with someone from an Aboriginal culture, as many misconceptions, myths and stereotypes around Aboriginal culture do sadly persist in Australia.

Danny Teece-Johnson, our NITV colleague, comes from the proud Gomeroi nation. He has seen firsthand some of the most offensive practices Aboriginal people are subject to in Australian society, so he can help us dispel some common myths and misconceptions about Aboriginal people and culture.

Here are five things to avoid when meeting new Aboriginal friends.

1. Offensive names

The Indigenous people of Australia are usually referred to as 'Aboriginal' or 'Indigenous' people, as these are acceptable terms to use when referring to an Indigenous person.

However many may not be aware that shortening the term 'Aboriginal' to 'Abo' is highly offensive to Indigenous people due to historical usage and is considered a derogatory term, as 'Koon' or 'Boong' are. It's best to avoid these slurs in general.

But even better than using the acceptable terms and avoiding disrespectful ones, is asking your Aboriginal friend or colleague which nation they belong to. Danny explains it’s considered preferable to ask what nation an Indigenous person belongs to because, "not all Aboriginal people are the same."

"We belong to many diverse nations with their own customs and languages, many of which have now been lost due to the devastating impact of colonisation," says Danny. "There are about 250 Aboriginal languages left from an original 700."

2. 'What percentage Aboriginal are you?'

One of the most offensive questions to an Indigenous person is what percentage Aboriginal are they?

“It simply doesn’t matter whether you’re one 16th Aboriginal or 100 per cent Aboriginal," says Danny. "Your connection to the land and your community is part of your identity no matter what.”

Gubbi Gubbi Traditional Owners. Source: Katie Bennett - Embellysh Photography

So if you wish to be more respectful and understanding of Aboriginal culture, don’t bother asking that question. It simply doesn’t matter.

3. 'Aboriginals get free houses'

While there are government programs put in place to support Aboriginal communities in certain ways, the truth is not all Aboriginal people receive free housing from the government.

Many Indigenous people live in impoverished communities and with little to no support their communities suffer from their own challenges on many levels.

For an individual living in those communities where life can be a daily struggle and even to a well-off Aboriginal person who lives in the big city, being told, “You’re entitled because you’re getting free stuff”, is extremely disrespectful. It serves only to add insult to injury, considering the struggle and history of Aboriginal people in Australia.

Danny Teece-Johnson, NITV journalist from the Gomeroi nation. Source: SBS

4. Lack of acknowledgement

You may have been to an event in where just before the opening cerem­­­ony, you witnessed the traditional welcome to country or an acknowledgement of country. This is when someone mentions the original custodians of the land or when an Aboriginal person performs a special ceremony to welcome the audience and event, to their traditional land.

“Anyone who knows anything about Aboriginal culture knows how connected we are to the land," says Danny. "Not acknowledging the custodians of the land is pretending Aboriginal people don’t exist.”

Members of the Gumatj caln perform bunggul (ceremonial dancing) at the Garma Festival in northeast Arnhem Land. Source: Yothu Yindi Foundation / Melanie Faith Dove

So when you're staging an event, the respectful thing to do is to acknowledge the people who lived as an indivisible part of the landscape for millennia via an acknowledgement of country, which is a respectful mention of the custodians. If possible, and if your event is a large one, a traditional welcome to country ceremony is preferable.

5. People speaking on behalf of Aboriginal people

Perhaps most frustrating of all is speaking about Aboriginal people without them involved in the dialogue itself.

“Too often we see, particularly in the mainstream media, non-Indigenous people discussing Aboriginal issues without Aboriginal experts or leaders involved," says Danny. "This is hugely damaging to Aboriginal Australia, as the misinformation can lead to racism, stereotyping and paint a very untrue picture of who we are as a people and culture.”

Celeste Liddle addressing the massive crowd at the Melbourne march. Source: NITV News – Kris Flanders

And here’s an extra free tip. Whenever you write 'Aboriginal' always use a capital 'A' and use a capital 'I' when spelling Indigenous. Also use a capital 'G' when spelling Gomeroi or a capital letter for the name of any Indigenous nation. It's a mark of respect.