Where "Koori" Comes From
The word comes from gurri, meaning "man" or "people" in Awabakal, a language of the NSW mid-north coast first recorded in writing in 1834.
For many, using "Koori" is a way of reclaiming Aboriginal language and identity, alongside other regional terms like Murri (Queensland), Nyoongar (southern WA), and Palawa (Tasmania), rather than relying on the broader, colonial-era term "Aboriginal."
She proudly identifies as Koori, with family connections across southern NSW.
How Aussies Actually Use It
Used specifically by and for Aboriginal people from southern NSW and Victoria — not a general term for all Aboriginal Australians.
Part of a wider set of regional self-identification terms across the country, each tied to its own language and Country.
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