The first or earliest known of its kind present in a region; of or relating to the people who have been in a region from the earliest time.

An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is a person of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent who identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and is accepted as such by the community in which they live or claim.

Accountability means to be answerable or responsible to a person, family, or wider groups and networks. Accountability is based on rules, checks, and balances to make sure people do the things they should and don’t do the things they shouldn’t.

The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) is the national regulator of charities.

The day-to-day process or activity of managing duties, responsibilities or rules in order to run an organisation, business, committee or project, etc. Administration can also refer to a body of people who administer.

To act openly or publicly in support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy.

A plan of things to be done, or list of problems to be addressed at a meeting.

The meeting of minds or a mutual understanding between two or more parties about their reciprocal rights and duties regarding past or future performances. Agreements can be made verbally or in writing and are not necessarily legally binding.

See also, contract.

A person in your family who lived a long time ago.

The adjective used to describe something connected with or that belonged to your ancestors.

Opposed to or intended to prevent discrimination.

See also, discrimination.

A common ancestor from whom a lineage or family group may trace its descent. Apical refers to the ancestor at the apex of the genealogy. Some groups may use apical lines or common ancestor.

See also, ancestor.

A formal conflict resolution process where a neutral third party (arbitrator) reviews an issue and makes a binding decision to resolve it outside of the court system.

To evaluate or make a judgement about the nature or quality of something.

A person or thing that is valuable to somebody/something.

Asset may also be used in financial statements to describe what your group owns and uses to operate. They appear on your balance sheet.

Current assets have a lifespan of one year or less. For example, accounts receivable and inventory. This means they can be easily converted into cash.

Non-current assets have a lifespan of more than one year. For example, machinery or buildings. This means they are not as easily turned into cash. These assets can also be intangible assets, such as copyright.

The process of examining or investigating financial information to make sure it’s accurate and complies with any relevant rules and regulations.

Authority means having the power or right to undertake a particular job, role or activity in a given context, and to make, facilitate and enforce decisions about those matters.

An autocratic person or organisation has complete power and makes decisions without asking anyone else’s advice.

The right of an organisation, country, region or a person to be independent and self-governing.

See also, independence.

The statement of your group’s assets, liabilities, and owner’s equity at any point in time. It shows the total assets and how they are financed. It summarises the financial balance – what you have and what you owe.

It’s also known as the ‘statement of financial position’.

An advantage that something gives you; a useful effect that something has.

See also, mutual benefit and related party benefit.

An elected body of individuals that represent shareholders, usually referred to as a board of directors. The board is a governing body that typically meets at regular intervals and jointly supervises the activities of a company or organisation to ensure it serves the best interests of its shareholders.

A board member is a person who is appointed to the board.

Outlines the income sources your group plans to receive against the expenses you expect to incur.

The combination of people’s skills, institutions, resources, organisational abilities, powers and practices that enables them to reach their own goals over time. Capacity may be individual and collective.

The money your group has available to pay for day-to-day operations and fund future growth.

The Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act) is the law that establishes the role of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations and allows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups to form corporations.

To give control or possession of something, particularly pertaining to land, often unwillingly or because forced to do so.

See also, unceded.

A working document that records all complaints an organisation receives and how these are managed.

A chief executive officer is the highest-ranking executive in a company, whose primary responsibilities include making major corporate decisions, managing the overall operations and resources of a company, acting as the main point of communication between the board of directors and corporate operations and being the public face of the company. A CEO is elected by the board and its shareholders.

A person who was born in a particular country and has or has been given certain rights.

To say that something is true or is a fact, although it has not been proved and other people may not believe it.

See also, native title claim.

Of or shared by every member of a group. An organisation or business that is owned and controlled by the people who work in it.

The act of taking control of an area or country that is not your own, especially by use of force, and sending your own people to live there.

The arrival of Lieutenant James Cook, and then Arthur Phillip in 1788, marked the beginning of ‘white settlement’ in Australia. From 1788, Australia was treated by the British as a colony of settlement, not of conquest. Aboriginal land was taken over by British colonists on the premise that the land belonged to no-one (‘terra nullius’).

A promise to do something or to behave in a particular way; a promise to support somebody or something.

Willing to work hard and give your time and energy to something; to believe strongly in something.

A group of people who are chosen, usually by a larger group, to make decisions or to deal with a particular subject.

Of or belonging to a group of people rather than a single person. A communal society is one in which everyone lives and works together, and property and possessions are shared rather than being owned by a particular person.

A community is a network of people and/or organisations with shared links such as personal relationships, cultural identities, political connections, traditions, rules, histories, social and economic conditions, and understandings and interests.

A statement of dissatisfaction where a response is sought, and is reasonable to expect or legally required.

An idea or principle that relates to something abstract.

When a neutral third party facilitates a dialogue between two or more conflicting parties to promote understanding.

A disagreement or arguments between two or more parties. Conflicts can be more long-lasting and challenging to resolve compared to other disagreements or disputes.

The informal or formal process that two or more parties use to find a peaceful solution to their conflict.

See also, conflict and peacemaking.

Consensus is created through slow agreement and can change over time. It is a matter of moulding opinion (often done by influential people) and when achieved can create chains of cooperation within and across networks.

Permission to do something, especially given by somebody in authority.

See also, free prior and informed consent.

A formal set of rules and principles for governance (often set out in a written document), which establishes an organisation, community or nation’s rules of operation, powers, structures, procedures, duties, principles, values, purpose and goals. A constitution may consist of the legal instruction book for how things must be done according to a specific piece of legislation—for example, under laws of incorporation for organisations, or local government legislation.

See also, rule book.

The act of engaging with individuals or groups to learn knowledge, advice or opinions related to a specific issue.

The situation in which something happens and that helps you to understand it.

A contract is a written agreement, or an official document between two or more parties intended to be enforceable by law.

See also, agreement.

Connected with a large business or company.

A corporation is an organisation that is incorporated under legislation. Through incorporation, the organisation creates a separate legal entity to conduct their affairs. Its legal status gives a company the same rights as a natural person which means that a company can incur debt, sue and be sued. Corporations are managed by directors.

The Corporations Act is a Commonwealth law that governs the operation of companies. It’s federal legislation, meaning the act is applicable throughout the entire country.

This is a Kriol term (Kriol or Creole is a modern, post-contact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language) that has been universally adopted by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

It refers to their land estates inherited from their forebears as a matter of custom and according to traditional land tenure laws of each people or society. Country is used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to describe the lands, waterways and seas to which they are connected.

The term contains complex ideas about law, place, custom, language, spiritual belief, cultural practice, material sustenance, family and identity. Country is inherent to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples identity. It is more than a place.

A place where trials and other legal cases happen, or the people present in such a place, especially the officials and those deciding if someone is guilty.

In Australia, when we refer to `The Crown’ we are referring to the Australian Executive (Government), of which the Sovereign is head, acting in a legal capacity.

The rights and responsibilities a certain person or group holds to make decisions, i.e. for Country. Cultural authority often lies with Elders, traditional owners, and other individuals who hold significant knowledge and understanding of traditions, laws, and protocols.

Cultural geography is about the way peoples’ collective identities are based on their deep ties and attachments to particular areas of land (country) and their rights and responsibilities to look after that country.

When a group follows and embodies its cultural values and rules, it operates with cultural legitimacy.

This is also called ‘cultural credibility’ or ‘cultural fit’. It means people judge a governing arrangement as being ‘proper’ or done in the ‘right way’ – based on their cultural values and standards.

Refers to the additional load that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples take on at work (e.g. organising NAIDOC week activities, advising on Indigenous issues, initiatives or content), particularly working in an inter-cultural space – where there are limited Indigenous persons in the workplace.

An environment that is safe for people: where there is no assault, challenge or denial of their identity, who they are and what they need. It is about shared respect, shared knowledge and experience, of learning, living and working together with dignity and truly listening.

Indigenous culture is the system of knowledge, beliefs, ideas, values, powers, laws, meanings, and relationships shared by members of a group, community or nation that guides their way of life.

The systems and practices which guide people’s behaviours, mandate specific sanctions for non-compliance, and connect people with the land and each other. Customs can be seen as the application of cultural values and principles in people’s lives – often by word of mouth. Customary law includes kinship systems, protocols, and conflict resolution processes that continue to be practiced throughout Australia. There is no ‘one’ customary law. Different language groups have different concepts of it.

See also traditional law.

Any funds that your group has borrowed and must repay.

The process of choosing between two or more courses of action. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, communities and nations use a mix of methods and approaches to make decisions. Two common examples are ‘consensus decision-making’ and ‘majority vote’.

Deficit discourse refers to discourse that represents people or groups in terms of deficiency – absence, lack or failure. It particularly denotes discourse that narrowly situates responsibility for problems with the affected individuals or communities, overlooking the larger socio-economic structures in which they are embedded.

A person or thing designated to act for or represent others. A governing body may be a delegate and may, in turn, delegate its powers to others. When a function or power is delegated, the governing body still holds final responsibility for it, and remains accountable for what occurs.

The authority to approve expenditure or enter into financial commitments on behalf of your group.

Clear policies should outline who has the delegation and the terms. For example, delegation for transactions and/or commitments up to a certain amount.

The belief in freedom and equality between people, or a system of government based on this belief, in which power is either held by elected representatives or directly by the people themselves.

The state of being related to a particular person or group of people who lived in the past.

The process of controlling, influencing or deciding the outcome of something.

Development is change or transformation that makes life better in ways that people want. It’s about empowering people to achieve the community, social, cultural, political and economic benefits they desire, and to maintain them over the long term. Development takes different forms – from community and economic development to social, cultural or political development.

Treating a person or a particular group of people differently, especially in a worse way from the way in which you treat other people, because of their skin colour, sex, sexuality, ethnicity, age or disability.

See also, anti-discrimination.

A dispute is a disagreement or clash between 2 or more parties. It generally results from a difference in opinion, attitude or idea of how things should be done.

The payment of your group’s earnings (or profit) to your shareholders or owners.

A nation does not rely on legislated or treaty recognition, although that greatly enhances its jurisdictional and decision-making power.

Accountability to the members of a nation, community or local group, as opposed to upward accountability to governments, funders etc.

See also, accountability.

Something that you have to do because it’s your responsibility, job, or what’s expected of you.

Relating to trade, industry, or money, or making a profit.

Capable, competent and efficient. Performing and functioning well and in doing so, producing the desired outcomes of the group or organisation, leading to the achievement of their mission and goals.

An arrangement to meet someone or do something at a particular time.

Something that exists apart from other things, having its own independent existence.

The right of different groups of people to have a similar social position and receive the same treatment.

See also, fairness.

To found, institute, build or bring into being on a firm or stable basis.

A business or organisation, or the place where an organisation operates.

Moral principles that control or influence a person’s behaviour.

The systematic process of making a judgment about the merit or worth of a policy or program. It is about assessing the effectiveness of policies and programs and identifying the factors that drive or undermine their effectiveness. It answers questions such as — how was the policy or program delivered, what difference did the policy or program make, what would have happened without the policy or program in place, and do the benefits of the policy or program justify the costs?

The amount of money your group spends during a reporting period. For example, on rent, wages and utilities.

A conflict resolution process usually centred around working through strategic problems. A ‘facilitator’ helps to make sure all the relevant information or perspectives are considered and discussed.

The quality of treating people equally or in a way that is right and reasonable. It involves considering everything that has an effect on a situation, so that a fair judgement can be made.

See also, equality.

Having a system of government in which the individual states of a country have control over their own affairs, but are controlled by a central government for national decisions, etc.

A person or group that acts on behalf of another person (or organisation, community or nation). The fiduciary must prioritise the interest of the beneficiary over their own.

The 12-month period used for financial and tax reporting. It runs from 1 July to 30 June.

Financial budgets and reports are usually completed for the financial year, rather than the calendar year (January to December).

In recent years, ‘First Nations People’ has emerged as a name that recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first peoples of Australia. It goes further than ‘First Australians’ as it recognises various language groups as separate and unique sovereign nations. It is widely used to describe the First Peoples in Canada and other countries across the globe.

A supporting structure around which something can be built; a system of rules, ideas or beliefs that is used to plan or decide something.

Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) is a specific right granted to Indigenous Peoples recognised in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Free implies that there is no coercion, intimidation or manipulation.

Prior implies that consent is to be sought sufficiently in advance of any authorization or commencement of activities and respect is shown to time requirements of Indigenous consultation/consensus processes.

Informed implies that information is provided that covers a range of aspects, including the nature, size, pace, reversibility and scope of any
proposed project or activity; the purpose of the project as well as its duration; locality and areas affected; a preliminary assessment of the likely economic, social, cultural and environmental impact, including potential risks; personnel likely to be involved in the execution of the project; and procedures the project may entail. This process may include the option of withholding consent. Consultation and participation are crucial components of a consent process.

Honesty, fairness, and lawfulness of purpose: absence of any intent to defraud, act maliciously, or take unfair advantage. Under common law, good faith requires parties to an agreement to exercise their powers reasonably and not arbitrarily or for some irrelevant purpose. Certain conduct may lack good faith if one party acts dishonestly, or fails to have regard to the legitimate interests of the other party.

The complex mechanisms, processes, relationships, structures and institutions through which power and authority are assigned and exercised in a group, so that decisions can be made, activities carried out, and the group’s collective goals achieved in the ‘right way’.

Governance rules set out the framework and ‘ground rules’ for: who has the authority to make decisions, and about what, how decisions should be made, who can talk on behalf of others, what obligations there are between leaders and their members.

See also, rule.

See board.

The jurisdictional authority that rules a country, nation, community or state, through delegated powers, policy and regulations or laws. In Australia, government draws its authority from the Australian Constitution and a mandate from the nation’s citizens as a parliamentary democracy. Australia’s mainstream system of government has three levels: federal (or Commonwealth), state or territory, and local government.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have ancient jurisdictions of traditions and laws that operated effectively as governments, but which currently have no legal or treaty recognition, or devolved status under Australian common law or constitution.

The shared qualities and characteristics that bring a group of people together and makes them unique.

See also, identity.

Healing is defined and applied as a process of recovery, both collective and individual, from trauma. In contemporary contexts traditional healing finds new interpretations by applying ancient cultural knowledge to address trauma and restore and sustain holistic wellbeing.

A hierarchy is a system of organising people into different ranks or levels of authority or importance, for example in society or in a company.

Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.

Who a person is, or the qualities of a person or group that make them different from others.

See also, group identity.

Refers to the strain First Nations employees can feel when their identity, or the identity of others, does not match the norms and expectations of their broader organisation or workforce. It includes a feeling of having to compromise one’s cultural integrity, being told to be less outspoken about Indigenous issues, having to work harder to prove a First Nations person can do the job, and trying to avoid certain people, situations and places at work.

To put a decision, plan, agreement, etc into action.

The amount of money your group takes in during a reporting period.

This may be from more than one source. For example, sale of goods or services, donations, government grants.

Highlights the incomings and outgoings of funds into your group.

It shows the revenue minus expenses, which gives the profit (or loss) for the reporting period. Not-for-profit organisations usually call this surplus or deficit.

It’s also known as the ‘statement of financial performance’.

The freedom from being governed or ruled by another.

See also, autonomy.

Naturally existing in a place or country rather than arriving from somewhere else.

The term ‘Indigenous Australian’ is used to encompass both Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people. It is often abbreviated to ‘Indigenous’ within an Australian context.

Indigenous governance is an ancient jurisdiction made up of a system of cultural geographies (‘country’), and culture-based laws, traditions, rules, values, processes and structures that have been effective for tens of thousands of years, and which nations, clans and families continue to adapt and use to collectively organise themselves to achieve the things that are important to them.

A basic or permanent part of somebody/something that cannot be removed.

The way things are done. Institutions may be formal and informal. Examples include legal, judicial, and political systems, kinship systems, behavioural norms, values and ethics, religious beliefs and ceremonial cycles.

The authority of a sovereign power to govern or legislate. The extent or range of legal or administrative power, and/or the territory or area over which such power extends.

The power that a court of law or an official has to carry out legal judgments or to enforce laws.

Aboriginal kinship relations reflect a complex and dynamic system and define where a person fits into their family and community. The value of the kinship system is that it structures people’s relationships, obligations and behaviours towards each other. Kinship includes the importance of all relationships, and of being related to and belonging to the land.

Aboriginal knowledge, also known as traditional knowledge, is an accepted term for the beliefs and understandings that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples acquired through long-term observation and association with a place. It is knowledge based on the social, physical and spiritual understandings which informed the people’s survival.

It can be found in a wide variety of contexts, such as agricultural, scientific, technical, ecological and medicinal fields, as well as biodiversity-related knowledge. It is intertwined with cultural and social practice and Indigenous language.

The ability to influence others to accomplish a common goal or objective. Leadership encourages consensus, cohesion and collective action.

Connected with or allowed by the law.

See also, law.

A law or set of laws suggested by a government and made official by a parliament.

The extent to which something is accepted and seen as credible by your members, constituents, or stakeholders. This involves how governance arrangements are created, decisions are made, and how leaders are chosen and held accountable.

See also, cultural legitimacy.

Allowed by law or done according to the rules of an organisation or activity.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer and Questioning, Asexual, Sistergirl, Brotherboy ‘+’ used to signify other sexualities and gender not specified in the acronym.

What your group owes to others. These appear on your balance sheet.

Current liabilities are due to be paid within one year. For example, accounts payable or short-term debt.

Non-current (or long-term) liabilities are financial obligations that are due after one year from the date of the balance sheet. For example, longer term loans.

Belonging to or connected with the particular place or area that you are talking about or with the place where you live.

Obtaining, coordinating, managing and using resources (human, financial, natural, technical and cultural) for the purpose of accomplishing a goal that is beyond the scope of individual effort.

A person responsible for organising and overseeing a group’s governance activities.

See also, CEO.

One of the original people of Aotearoa (New Zealand) and the Cook Islands.

The thing or idea that a sound, word, sign, etc. represents.

A tool or way of doing something that helps to get things done efficiently.

A conflict resolution process that involves negotiation and compromise to reach an agreement. A ‘mediator’ helps parties involved with this process.

An individual person or entity that is part of or belongs to a specific group. This may be a nation, community, group, governing body, committee, or board.

The state/status or condition of being a member. When one is officially recognised as being part of a group.

Missions, reserves and stations were reserves of land to which Aboriginal people were forcibly relocated. Missions were in the control of churches and missionaries with little or no government involvement.

See also, reserves.

A governance model is a framework used by organisations, communities and nations to create order in their group. It ties together the rules, relationships, systems and processes that influence how authority is organised.

Collective obligation among kin or community to support and contribute to the wellbeing of one another.

Equality and respect within the relationship between the partners and agreements that achieve win-win outcomes, or in which both parties gain value.

See also, benefit and related party benefit.

A nation refers to a group or community of people who share a common language, culture, ethnicity, descent or history. A nation may share a single common territory with physical boundaries and government, or it may be located as a nation within another larger nation.

The processes by which an Indigenous nation enhances its own capacity for effective self-governance and for self-determined community and economic development.¹Miriam Jorgensen, “Editor’s Introduction”, in Rebuilding Native Nations: Strategies for Governance and Development, ed. Miriam Jorgensen (Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 2007), xii.

Nation building is sometimes also referred to as ‘nation rebuilding’.² Oren Lyons, “Foreword”, in Rebuilding Native Nations: Strategies for Governance and Development, ed. Miriam Jorgensen (Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 2007), viii.

A nation-state is a geographically bounded group of people who identify as a nation.

Native title is the recognition that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have rights and interests to land and waters according to their traditional law and customs as set out in Australian Law. Native Title is governed by the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).

Native Title (capitalised) refers to the legislation, whereas native title (lower case) refers to the concept.

Native Title Act 1993 is a federal law that recognises and protects the rights and interests of Indigenous Australians in land and waters.

A formal discussion between two or more people with the aim of reaching a mutually accepted agreement.

A network is like the interwoven threads in a string basket. It is a group of people, things or organisations that are independent but are connected to each other and help one another by sharing knowledge, resources, ideas and so on.

See also, networked governance.

Governance based on relationships and connections between people, places, and things – past present and future. These relationships create an elaborate web where rights and interests, decision-making, authority, leadership, and accountabilities are spread across different interconnected social layers and cultural geographies.

Indigenous governance is a networked form of governance.

Today many hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups in Australia are linked by these networks.

A social, legal, or moral requirement such as a duty, contract or promise that makes a person, group or organisation follow or avoid a particular course of action.

The process of making something work; the activities, processes, and tasks groups used to get things done.

A group of individuals who come together to pursue agreed objectives that would otherwise be unattainable, or would only be attainable with significantly reduced efficiency and effectiveness.

In order to achieve their objectives, groups take on enduring roles, functions, procedures and structures that give structure and function to organisations. Sometimes this involves becoming legally incorporated, but organisations may also be more informal.

The Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) is an independent statutory office holder appointed by the Minister for Indigenous Affairs under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act). ORIC supports and regulates the corporations that are incorporated under the Act.

A person or organisation that owns something.

The right or state of being an owner; taking responsibility of an idea or problem.

The initial amount of money invested by your group’s owners. This includes any retained earnings that have been reinvested from the owners’ profits.

The group of (usually) elected politicians or other people who make the laws for their country.

The process of involving community members in decision-making about the planning, development and priorities in building governance arrangements and delivering services and programs of importance to them. Real participation means joint problem solving, joint decision making and joint responsibility.

Having collaborative association with another community, organisation, company, institution or agency, which usually shares a common interest. A partnership may be legally binding or informally endorsed.

One of the people or groups of people involved in an official argument, arrangement or similar situation.

Processes and approaches that aim to reconcile differences and promote harmonious relationships between groups and individuals.

See also, conflict resolution and healing.

A system to measure progress against your objectives. Performance measures help a group understand how they are performing.

See also, targets.

A rule or guideline for action developed by a nation, government, organisation or group to guide its decisions, behaviour and collective action to achieve desired outcomes and goals. Policies may determine governance, political, management, financial, economic, cultural and administrative actions.

Adj. relating to politics.

The activities of government, members of law-making organisations, or people who try to influence how a country is governed.

The capacity of an individual or group to influence the actions, beliefs, or conduct (behaviour) of others with or without resistance.

A way of doing something that is the usual or expected way in a particular organisation or situation.

Doing an activity or training regularly so that you can improve your skill; the time you spend doing this.

A basic idea or rule that explains how something happens or works; a moral rule or strong belief that influences your actions.

Something you think is more important than other things and should be dealt with first.

A series of things that are done in order to achieve a specific result.

The legal right to own and use something; A thing or things that are owned by somebody.

The minimum number of members that must be present at a meeting for decisions to be made.

Agreement that something is true or legal.

The act of accepting that something exists, is true or is official.

According to Reconciliation Australia, reconciliation is about the strengthening of relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across five key areas: race relations, equality and equity, institutional integrity, unity and historical acceptance. Reconciliation involves building a positive two-way relationship built on trust and respect.

Relating to or coming from a particular part of a country.

A related party financial benefit is when a corporation gives a financial benefit to a person or organisation with a close relationship to the corporation.

The act by a company of giving an official report, for example about its accounts or activities.

A person who acts on behalf of an organisation, community or nation – often on the board, committee or other body. To represent means to act as a recognised delegate or spokesperson for somebody else’s interests, wishes, rights or welfare.

Reserves and stations were generally run by the government, although churches, especially the United Aborigines Mission and the Aborigines Inland Mission, were sometimes active on government settlements although they didn’t always have an administrative role. Aboriginal reserves were overseen by government ‘protectors’, who controlled many aspects of the lives of Aboriginal people.

See also, mission.

The economic, human, cultural, natural, social, information and technological resources (including equipment, fuel, knowledge, money, people and skills) to establish and carry out your governance and development.

A state of being accountable for someone or something; having an obligation to fulfil. Being the primary cause of something and so being able to be blamed or credited for it.

A moral or legal claim to have or get something or to behave in a particular way.

A human rights-based approach means that all forms of discrimination in the realisation of rights must be prohibited, prevented and eliminated. It also means that priority should be given to people in the most marginalised or vulnerable situations who face the biggest barriers to realising their rights.

A set of fixed actions or words performed regularly, especially as part of a ceremony; Something that is done regularly and always in the same way.

The standards, authoritative statements and requirements to which members of a group or organisation should subscribe and conform to. They may be underwritten by peoples’ informal collective cultural values and beliefs. They may be the formal legal rules of operation adopted and set out in a constitution, policy, procedures or guidelines. They tell us how people should behave towards each other, work together, communicate and make decisions, and what to do when things go wrong.

See also, governance rules.

A book of rules that govern how a corporation should be run—for example, how to elect directors and hold valid meetings. Having a rule book that is carefully followed and works well for a corporation is essential to maintaining good governance. A rule book is sometimes referred to as a constitution or charter of governance.

See also, constitution.

One of the areas into which the economic activity of a country is divided.

Self-determination means having meaningful control over one’s own life.

Self-determination as a concept can also be applied to groups, communities and nations.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the term self-determination is often used to refer to having genuine decision-making power and responsibility about what happens on their lands, in their affairs, in their governing systems, and in their development strategies.

See also, sovereignty.

An official agreement intended to resolve a dispute, conflict or negotiation.

Settler colonialism is a system of oppression and domination where a foreign population migrates to a new area and aims to displace or eliminate the indigenous people and their rights and cultures.

See also, colonisation.

Individuals or legal entities that own at least one share in a public or private corporation.

Refers to trans people within some Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities. Sistergirls are people assigned male at birth but identify as a woman, or have a female spirit, and can live their lives as women (including taking on traditional cultural female practices). Brotherboys are people assigned female at birth but identify as a man or have a male spirit. Sistergirls and Brotherboys have distinct cultural identities and roles. These terms can differ between locations, Countries and Nations. In broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, the terms ‘Sistagirl’ and ‘Brothaboy/Bruthaboy’ are used as terms of endearment, for women and men respectively, with no reference to gender diversity. It’s also important to note that not all First Nations trans and gender diverse people identify with these terms, but many do.³ Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO), Rainbow Mob Glossary, accessed Feb 2025, [link]

The ability of your group to meet its long-term debts and financial obligations.

Insolvency is the inability of your group to pay its debts when they are due.

Sovereignty is the ultimate power, authority and/or jurisdiction over a people and a territory. No other person, group, tribe or state can tell a sovereign entity what to do with its land and/or people. A sovereign entity can decide and administer its own laws, and can determine the use of its land free of external influence (within the limitations of international law).

Sovereignty is a more precise term than self-determination.

A level of quality, especially one that people think is acceptable.

Usual rather than special, especially when thought of as being correct or acceptable.

A part of a large country with its own government, such as in Germany, Australia or the UK; an organised political community forming part of a country.

See also, nation state.

Something that someone says or writes officially, or an action done to express an opinion.

In governance, strategies are long-term plans that determine how your group will achieve your goals. Creating a strategy involves choosing a specific objective, allocating resources, and monitoring your success.

A written document that sets out your intended strategic goals and actions during a specified period to achieve those intended goals, where you want to go and how you’re going to get there. It sets out the vision and mission, explains the priorities, goals and strategies, and what actions, resources, people, and amount of time are needed.

The arrangement or organisation of parts in a system.

Succession planning simply means to have a plan in place to ensure that when a person leaves an organisation, there are people identified and ready to take their place. It also involves deciding when new or different skills may be needed and identifying people who meet these requirements.

Director succession planning is an important but often neglected element of good governance.

Able to continue for a long time.

Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

See also, development.

Knowledge that you do not get from being taught, or from books but rather get from personal experience, for example when working in a particular organisation.

Specific desired outcomes.

See also, performance measures.

A third person or organisation less directly involved in a matter than the main people or organisations that are involved.

Refers to the First Peoples of the Torres Strait region (as compared to the mainland Aboriginal people).

A set of practices, customs, beliefs and/or stories belonging to a particular group of people, handed down from generation to generation.

Indigenous Australians had a complex system of law, sometimes referred to as ‘lore’, long before colonisation and the establishment of British law in Australia. The main difference was that there were no formal courts under traditional law, and any problems arising were instead referred to Elders of the community.

Traditional laws are customary laws based on traditions and customs of a particular group in a specific region.

See also, customary law.

Traditional owner is an English term from the Northern Territory Land Rights Act and refers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander decision-making. It refers to a group of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples who belong to a certain area of land (‘Country’) and have the cultural obligation to maintain it.

The term ‘custodians’ considers that in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture the land owns its people (and not vice versa), while ‘owners’ gives credit to the fact that it is Aboriginal land (both terms are in use).

A situation in which business and/or financial activities are done in an open way without secrets, so that people can trust that they are fair and honest.

A negotiated agreement with the government to recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have not lost any part of their sovereign existence and status, and that they have always maintained a property right in land and the natural resources according to their law and customs.

A group of people, often of related families, who live in the same area and share the same language, culture, and history.

Truth telling means acknowledging and addressing past and ongoing injustices since colonisation. Telling the truth about history brings to light colonial conflict and dispossession, and also acknowledges the strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures.

Not ceded, not handed over. In acknowledging First Nations people, unceded means that they never ceded or legally signed away their lands to the Crown.

See also, cede.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly on Thursday, 13 September 2007. It establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the Indigenous peoples of the world and it elaborates on existing human rights standards and fundamental freedoms as they apply to Indigenous peoples.

The process of learning new skills or of teaching workers new skills.

A set of principles, qualities, or standards that one considers important or good. There are many different types of values – cultural, organisational, spiritual – and they may vary greatly between groups.

The difference between the amount budgeted or planned and the actual amount. This can apply to both income and expenses.