What is the Difference Between Aboriginal and Indigenous?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The terms "Aboriginal" and "Indigenous" are often used to describe the original inhabitants of a region, but they have different connotations and uses.
- Aboriginal: This term refers to the first inhabitants of a country or region and is often used in a Canadian context to describe First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. It gained popularity in Canadian constitutions and laws after 1982, when Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution defined the term as such. However, it is not commonly used in the United States. The term "Aboriginal" has been criticized for being too broad and not reflecting the diverse cultures, languages, and beliefs of different tribes within this group.
- Indigenous: This term comes from the Latin word "indigena," meaning "sprung from the land; native". It is used to encompass a variety of Aboriginal groups and is most frequently used in an international, transnational, or global context. The term "Indigenous" is increasingly replacing "Aboriginal" as it is recognized internationally, for instance, with the United Nations' Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. However, it is still an umbrella term for a large group of people and should only be used when necessary.
When referring to Indigenous peoples, it is often more respectful to use the most specific term for a population when possible, as different communities may prefer different terms. For example, some Australians prefer "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples" over "Indigenous".
Comparative Table: Aboriginal vs Indigenous
The terms "Aboriginal" and "Indigenous" are often used to describe the original inhabitants of a region. However, there are some differences between the two terms. Here is a table summarizing the differences:
| Term | Definition | Origin | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aboriginal | The first people to inhabit an area. | Australian and Taiwanese. | Primarily used in Australia and Taiwan. |
| Indigenous | The original people, including those that have inhabited an area for a long time but may not have been the first. | Less precise. | Used worldwide, but considered less respectful in the US than "Native". |
While both terms refer to the original inhabitants of a region, "Aboriginal" is more specific and primarily used in Australia and Taiwan, whereas "Indigenous" is less precise and used worldwide. In the context of Australia, it is recommended to use "First Nations people," "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people(s)," or "Indigenous Australians" to describe the original inhabitants.
- Native vs Indigenous
- Maori vs Aboriginal
- Aboriginal vs Torres Strait Islanders
- Eskimo vs Inuit
- Endemic vs Native
- Australia vs India
- Enculturation vs Acculturation
- Ethnicity vs Culture
- Ethnography vs Ethnology
- Cultural vs Ethnic
- Clan vs Tribe
- Nationality vs Ethnicity
- African vs African American
- Ethnology vs Anthropology
- Black vs African American
- Alien vs Immigrant
- Acculturation vs Assimilation
- Culture vs Heritage
- Culture vs Diversity