1 The term Indigenous is used to refer to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 2  According to the most widely adopted definition of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (the 'Commonwealth working definition'): 3 An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is. According to the most widely adopted definition of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (the 'Commonwealth working definition'):  2 An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is. 3  This definition was developed during the period 1967 to 1978 and is now widely accepted by Commonwealth and other government agencies.