writing about us

Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about us, our language and our walk. Keep in mind that these are recommendations and this is a guide only. Each Aboriginal community member here in Lutruwita has their own ideas and preferences so this doesn’t represent everyone’s viewpoint.

Our experience is called “wukalina Walk” (not “the wukalina Walk”). There is no capitalisation for wukalina because this original place name is in our language of palawa kani. Our language doesn't conform to the rules of other languages such as English.

What’s the difference between Palawa and Pakana?

The words Palawa and Pakana both mean Aboriginal person or people of Lutruwita. So it’s not necessary to add the word ‘people’ after either Palawa or Pakana as that is already embedded in the word.

These terms originally come from two different language groups – Palawa is a southern word while Pakana is from the north of the island. They are used interchangeably but not together. Palawa is more commonly used as the collective term for Tasmanian Aboriginal people.

If you’ve come on wukalina Walk and learnt that we are Palawa (or Pakana), please don’t then go on to write a story about us as Indigenous people with our Indigenous tourism venture. You know our identity now so please show us respect by using that name.

How do I write about a guide or Elder’s cultural identity?

Each Aboriginal community member has their own way of expressing their cultural identity so please ask rather than assume. Some people call themselves an “Aboriginal community member” while others a “Pakana woman” or “Palawa person” or “Palawa man” or other variations.

Not all First Nations people who, today, live in Lutruwita are Palawa and not all of our guides are Palawa so please make sure you ask individual people what their cultural identity is rather than make an assumption.

If someone tells you they’re a “proud Pakana woman” then retain the word “proud” as it’s an integral element of their identity.

What are policies and protocols to follow when writing in palawa kani?

These can be found at the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre website.

What collective terms should I use?

If you must use collective terms – and remember that these have been imposed upon us – then please capitalise Aboriginal, Indigenous and First Nations. We are proper nouns.

The word Blak was coined by artist Destiny Deacon – a descendent of the KuKu and Erub Mer people – in 1994. It’s generally acceptable in writing but please use the term sparingly and always with a capital.

Although many of us in Lutruwita identify as Tasmanian Aboriginal people, keep in mind that many First Nations people across the continent don’t identify as Indigenous Australians or Aboriginal Australians as we predate ‘Australia’.

And please never call us “our” Aboriginal/First Nations people as we do not belong to you. That way of referring to us is paternalistic and patronising.

Keep in mind, too that we are not and should never be called ‘Aboriginals’. We are Aboriginal people or Aboriginal peoples (when referring to multiple Ancestral collectives).

Why do I sometimes see some English words, such as Country and Ancestors, capitalised?

Many First Nations people capitalise certain English words to indicate either their significance or what that term represents to us. For instance, Country with a capital indicates Aboriginal Country while Old People means we’re referring to our Ancestors.

Others words we love to see capitalised are Creation, Elders, Traditional Owners, Smoking Ceremony, Acknowledgement of Country, Welcome to Country.

What are the most common mistakes people make when writing about Palawa?

We are often written about in past tense as though we’re no longer here, but we are as much here today as we ever were.

Our culture is often described as “ancient” as though it’s no longer relevant or that it hasn’t evolved. It’s preferable, we think, to say our culture is one of the world’s oldest continuous cultures.

People sometimes talk of a singular Aboriginal culture when, in fact, Palawa culture is one of hundreds of distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander/Zenadth Kes cultures across this continent.

When you paraphrase our words, the nuance is often skewed or lost entirely. Quote us directly as much as you can and try to avoid expressing assumptions about us as individuals and as collectives. From our experience, those assumptions are usually wrong.

What words should non-First Nations writers refrain from using?

Instead of anthropological terms like tribe/clan/band, we’d prefer you say Ancestral collectives or family groups. 

The word midden is an old Danish word meaning ‘domestic rubbish dump’. We ask you don’t use this term at all but call these important spaces our “cultural living sites” or “cultural living places”.

Keep in mind that, rather than inhabiting a place, we live or lived there. The words dreamtime and walkabout – please don’t ever.

You might hear us use terms like Mob, Blackfulla and Aborigine but, as Aboriginal people, these are our words to use and not yours. Please refrain from using those terms unless quoting us directly.

Never describe any of us in terms of blood quantum ie “part-Aboriginal” or “half-caste” as these are steeped in a history of racial genocide and trauma. Referring to our Old People, Trukanini and William Lanne, as “the last of…” is also deeply offensive.

When you write about a place being “untouched” or “pristine” or “wilderness” you erase us, our existence, our past and ongoing connection to Country and our essential role as custodians.

What are the correct names for places visited and visible on wukalina Walk?

Lutruwita (Tasmania)

Kanamaluka (River Tamar)

Wukalina (Mt William)

Larapuna (Bay of Fires) - ‘Eddystone Point’ is the most northern point of Larapuna

Tayaritja (Bass Strait Islands)

Truwana (Cape Barren Island)

We don’t yet know the place name for Launceston, so just use the introduced name when talking about the city/area.

wukalina Walk takes place on Trulwulway (or Troolwoolway) Country, which is the traditional homeland of many First Nations people living in Lutruwita.

Resources

palawa kani Language Program is part of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, and you can find more place names and pronunciations on their website.

Learn some more palawa kani words and pronunciation from Pakana woman Theresa Sainty – an Aboriginal linguistic consultant and senior scholar – on 50 Words Project.

‘Can I Call you That’ by Taneshia Atkinson – for Clothing the Gaps and in Fashion Journal. The author is yorta yorta and bangerang.

‘Blak, Black, Blackfulla: Language is important but it can be tricky’ by Jack Latimore for The Age/Sydney Morning Herald. The author is a Birpai man with family ties to Thungutti and Gumbaynggirr nations.

Contact us via the form below if you have any questions related to fact-checking or grammar-related queries. We’re more than happy to help.