Why do some Indigenous Australians prefer self-designations such as Koori or Koorie?

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Aboriginal people of Galiwnku Island in Australia — Australian Aboriginal peoples Aboriginal people from Galiwnku Island gathering to watch the proceedings at which Prime Minister Kevin Rudd formally apologized to the Aboriginal peoples of Australia for their mistreatment under earlier Australian governments, February 2008.

Some Indigenous Australians prefer self-designations such as Koori or Koorie—which translates to "person"—as a powerful expression of ethnic and linguistic pride.1

This preference serves as a rejection of terms like "Aborigine" and "Aboriginal," which were historically imposed upon them by colonial authorities. By choosing their own names, Indigenous peoples are reclaiming their identity and asserting agency in the face of a long legacy of dispossession and discriminatory government policies that sought to marginalize their cultures. This shift reflects a broader resurgence of pride among Australian Aboriginal peoples as they continue to advocate for their rights and cultural recognition.12