| Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Knowledge | Refers to the knowledge that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples hold about Country, community, and culture. There is a hierarchy of knowledge with Traditional Owners, Elders and known Knowledge Holders. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander knowledge is not fixed to recognised standards of measurement through academia, educational level, and professional roles. As part of Aboriginal culture, you will sometimes be referred to the appropriate person to speak to about your specific question and/or project. Note: It is important to remember that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples are diverse and identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander does not mean you know everyone and everything regarding culture especially if the person is not On Country. |
| Country | Describes the lands, sky, waterways and seas that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples are connected to. The term Country is complex and is very distinct from the English word land. Country encompasses ideas about lore, place, custom, language, spiritual beliefs and Dreaming, cultural practice, material sustenance, family and identity. Note: When a person refers to themselves as being Off Country, they are referring to not living on the Country that they identify with, they are not a Traditional Owner of that Country. |
| Consultation/ Engagement fatigue | Refers to past and current consultation processes that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples have participated in that are not strategic or streamlined. The consultation process is important, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples want to be informed and part of the decision-making process, but organisations need to acknowledge and mitigate psychological and physical impacts on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Stakeholders by providing efficient time, combining consultations projects where appropriate, and asking Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander stakeholders about how they prefer to be consulted. |
| Elders | Possess community knowledge and teach younger generations about obligations and responsibilities to Country. Elders and can influence when, how and if a community will work with non-Indigenous people and organisations. Elders can make joint decisions for the welfare of the group. Elders are often custodians of the lore. It is important to offer and earn the respect of Elders. |
| Knowledge Holder | A person who plays a vital role in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities. Knowledge Holders protect, convey and have a recognised expertise in Indigenous ways of doing being and knowing. The role Knowledge Holders take within the community varies. |
| Mob | Refers to the terminology used by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples when discussing family and community. Note: If a stakeholder asks the question “what Mob have you talked to?” That translates to “what Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander stakeholders have you spoken to?” |
| Traditional Owner/Custodian | Person(s) who is recognised to be connected to a place and a descendant of people from a local Aboriginal Nation who has legal and historical rights and responsibilities to maintain and pass on culturally significant practices and knowledge. |
| Sorry Business | Refers to the grieving and bereavement process when a family or community member passes away. Note: It is important that this is acknowledged, and time frames are adjusted if Sorry Business is being conducted. |
| Songlines | Are part of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander culture which has existed for over 60,000 years and are intrinsic to culture. Songlines explain how Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived and the origins of the Country. Note: If an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander stakeholder discusses a project that impacts Songlines this needs to be understood and addressed in a culturally sensitive way. |