Indigenous Population

In Australian Communities

Indigenous Population • Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders are Australia’s Indigenous inhabitants.

• An Aboriginal person is defined as a person who identifies themself as Aboriginal and is recognized by their community as Aboriginal.

• Indigenous words from over 250 different languages and 500 groups are also used to describe Aboriginal people including the Koori, Murri, Yolngu and Yapa.

• Torres Strait Islanders are descendants or traditional inhabitants of the Torres Strait Islands.

• In 2001 the Indigenous population was 458 500, 2.4% of Australia’s population.

• The Indigenous population is growing more rapidly than the rest of Australia with an average growth rate of 2% per year, almost double the non Indigenous growth rate.

Indigenous Vs Non Indigenous Population

Issues in Indigenous Communities

• Education

• Health

• Unemployment

Answer the following…..

• Who are Australia’s Indigenous inhabitants?• How many different language groups and tribes of

Aboriginal people were there before European settlement?

• What is the main difference between the distribution of the Indigenous population in comparison with the rest of Australia?

• Why is the Indigenous Australian age structure younger than the rest of the population?

• In what areas do Indigenous communities face issues of disadvantage?

Choose ONE issue

• Describe the issue• Identify where most of the issue is occuring in

the Australian community• Explain the response by government and/or

groups in addressing the issue