Language USAGE

Lesson: ‘The’ and ‘Our’

(2 mins)

A tip on language usage when talking with and about Aboriginal people, families and communities.

Prefer to read? (me too)

I've always tried to avoid saying "the Aboriginal community" because it fails to recognize the diversity of Aboriginal people and communities. We are not one Aboriginal community across this nation. We are made up of many Aboriginal communities.

Even on the Central Coast where I live, we're not made up of one Aboriginal community. We are many Aboriginal communities.

So, I try to avoid using "the" in front of that term wherever possible. You do need to apply a common-sense filter here, but these are good guidelines.

Another thing that's come up over the last few years is organisations, with the best of intentions, talking about "our Aboriginal people" or "our Aboriginal community." But it comes across as paternalistic. "Our" is a possessive article, so it denotes ownership. And this is what Aboriginal people don't appreciate.

We are not owned by an organisation. We are Aboriginal people and Aboriginal communities in our own right. So, avoid "our." If you must use "the," then use it, but avoid "our." We are not your Aboriginal people and we are not your Aboriginal communities.

Now, you might be able to say "our Aboriginal students" because they are students of your organisation. You might be able to say "our Aboriginal clients" because they are clients of your organisation. But you cannot own people or communities.

Consider these terms and notes on usage.