Do you know what Aboriginal land you're on today?

No matter what you're doing in Australia today - make sure you know that it's on Aboriginal land ... and *what* Aboriginal land.

Whether you're mourning, rallying or even celebrating on this significant day, it is important to acknowledge traditional owners and their lands on which you are currently meeting. 

As events take place around the country, we look at the major cities and recognise the traditional names on which the CBD lies. 

For more information on Aboriginal geography, go to the AIATSIS map of Indigenous Australia.

Adelaide - Kaurna

Did you know? There has been a generous effort to teach Kaurna language in Adelaide, with Kaurna Linguistics courses available at The University of Adelaide and Kaurna Language Courses for Year 11 & 12 students at the School of Languages in South Australia. 

Kaurna culture and history is also becoming increasingly acknowledged and visible in Adelaide, including the entrance of the State Library of South Australia and the Adelaide Festival Centre.

Alice Springs - Arrente

Did you know? There are five dialects of the Arrente language: South-Eastern, Central, Northern, Eastern, Eastern and North-Eastern. There are roughly 1,800 speakers of Eastern and Central Arrente, making it one of the largest speaking populations of any Australian language.

Indigenous words with 'rr' are common in languages in Central Australia and have a unique rolled sound. The word Arrente is pronounced similarly to, 'Aranda', 'Arrarnta' or 'Arunda'. 

Brisbane - Yuggera

Surrounding nations and groups include: Turrbal, Noonucal, Goenpul, Yugembah

Did you know? A well-known Yuggera/Jagera language word is 'Yakka' meaning to 'work hard'. Hence where Australia gets the name for its iconic workwear label. More Yuggera words can be accessed through the Queensland State Library. 

Canberra - Ngunnawal

Surrounding nations and groups include: Ngambri

Did you know? The Ngunnawal nation extends from Canberra up to Goulburn. 'Canberra' is a Ngunnawal word meaning "meeting place", and historically the valley that Canberra sits was a meeting place for many neighbouring First Nations groups including Yuin, Wiradjuri, Gundungurra and Ngarigo. The first known contact between Ngunnawal people and Europeans, was recorded at an exploration of the Limestone Plains in 1820.

Many Ngunawal families claim that Ngunawal is spelled like that, with only one 'n' and should be pronouced 'Ngoon-a-wal'.  

Darwin - Larrakia

Did you know? The Larrakia Country runs from the Cox peninsula in the west, to Gunn Point in the north, the Adelaide River in the east and down to the Manton Dam area southwars. Larrakia People have strong connections to the sea and have a long history of voyage and trade with neighbouring groups such as Tiwi, Wagait and Wulna. 

The Larrakia people have the longest running land claim in the Northern Territory, the Kenbi Land Claim. The Larrakia nation only received legal recognition of continued connection to country just two years ago, despite continuing to care for the land and water for centuries. 

Hobart - muwinina

Did you know? muwinina is a part of the palawa peoples', a network of clans in Tasmania. No capital letters are used in palawa kani (the revived-traditional language), including place names. 

Hobart's famous Mount Wellington is named kunanyi in palawa kani.

Melbourne - Kulin Nation

Surrounding and inclusive nations and groups include: Woiworung & Boonwurrung

Did you know? William Barak, whose face is embedded on a modern building on Swanston Street in Melbourne CBD, is said to be the last 'full-blood' tribesperson of the Wurunderjeri clan of the Woiworung nation. Barak was a prominent leader, activist, artist and tracker and one of his most significant tasks, was tracking the Kelly Gang whom he found hiding in a thick scrub. Despite his white superiors telling him to approach the gang "first", Barak laughed and politely refused. 

Perth - Whadjuk

Did you know? Whadjuk nation is a part of the Noongar people collective, a network covering south-west Western Australia. Before British settlement, Whadjuk would have been familiar with Dutch explorers, as well as occasional visits from whalers.

The town of Guildford on Whadjuk country is a particularly significant site for Noongar peoples, and contains campsites and spiritual sites which are still used by local people in present day.

The word 'Quokka' - the cute friendly marsupials on Rottnest Island - is a Whadjuk word.   

Sydney - Eora Nation

Surrounding and inclusive nations and groups include: Cammeraygal, Gadigal & Bidjigal

Did you know? There are tens of mobs within the Eora nation, an area within the boundaries of St George's River, the Hawkesbury River and the Parramatta River. The Gadigal People are the clan of Sydney city. Notable Eora people include Bennelong, a senior man who was brought to the settlement at Sydney Cove by order of Governor Phillip to establish relationships between the Indigenous population and the new settlers.   

Discover more about Indigenous Australia with NITV's #AlwaysWillBe, an interactive line-up of truth, tradition and expression. 

All images are by Nungala Creative, excluding the main image.

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