Quote:
Originally Posted by AussieTrooper
On a side note, what we know as the nation of Australia came into being in 1901. Prior to that it did not exist. There were separate colonies, and many separate Aboriginal nations even earlier, but none were called Australia.
Given that the nation of Australia came into being in 1901, doesn't that make every person whose ancestors were born here prior to that date indigenous?
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Well actually it doesn't. Being indigenous means taking on features that are specific to that area. Think of it this way, dingos are indigenous to Australia, but dogs are not. It doesn't matter if the European-bred dogs were here before 1901, they have not taken on significant features that makes them notable to this area.