Indigenous
The meaning of the word indigenous is open to some interpretation. Some dictionaries define it as living, occurring and originating in an area or environment. Other definitions include; living in an environment or region, but which can occur naturally in other areas. The emphasis is usually on the origin of the species being linked to a particular area, however large that area is. For example; the Aboriginal people are indigenous to Australia.
However, in recent years there has been an attempt to take into account the changes in population which have occurred over time. Definitions of indigenous people include statements which suggest that they can be a group of people who live in a particular geographic region, and who have the earliest known links to that region, despite recent immigrant numbers being greater than the original population.
Contemporary definitions take into account the isolation and economic circumstances of the population. Many indigenous groups have become politically underprivileged groups. Some definitions cite that an indigenous group must have maintained their local linguistic, cultural and social characteristics, and therefore remain somewhat alienated from the dominant culture. Another definition relates to a groups perception of itself. This definition states that people who identify themselves as indigenous, and who are recognised as such by other people, can be referred to as indigenous.
However, to complicate matters further; it may well be that just because people meet these criteria, that they do not consider themselves to be indigenous. The word indigenous can also apply to flora and fauna of a particular region, and to intellectual property. It can also refer to local ecology, language and knowledge.
