Do Native Americans prefer to be called just that, or “Indians?” I heard that “Indians” is wrong because that label was due to a mistake of Christopher Colombus thinking he made it to India, but I’m not sure because Native Americans have called themselves that. Is saying “Indians” for Native Americans outdated?
It’s generational. A lot of older people prefer to be called “Indian” while younger people prefer “Native American,” “Aboriginal,” “First Nations,” or “Indigenous.” Some of it has to do with legal phrasing by the US government and seeing “Indian” as a badge of honor that was earned and reclaimed (see: AIM, or the American Indian Movement). Some of it is “Native American” was a term made by white people. Then there’s tribes that are spread across the US into Canada or Mexico and they of course are going to identify with their family members over imaginary lines.
I bet it’s just easier to go by their tribe, I know the name of the one I live by and been asked by their members if I’m part of X tribe because I look similar
True or if not a slur a major butchering of the language, so far the one Im close to use the name in their government so that’s the one I figure they go by now
Idk, it seems like calling them Native Americans is as tricky as well. Usually I try to call them, but if you meet an actual indigenous person, I guess going with what they prefer to call themselves would do.
hope you all have a good next week
Do Native Americans prefer to be called just that, or “Indians?” I heard that “Indians” is wrong because that label was due to a mistake of Christopher Colombus thinking he made it to India, but I’m not sure because Native Americans have called themselves that. Is saying “Indians” for Native Americans outdated?
It’s generational. A lot of older people prefer to be called “Indian” while younger people prefer “Native American,” “Aboriginal,” “First Nations,” or “Indigenous.” Some of it has to do with legal phrasing by the US government and seeing “Indian” as a badge of honor that was earned and reclaimed (see: AIM, or the American Indian Movement). Some of it is “Native American” was a term made by white people. Then there’s tribes that are spread across the US into Canada or Mexico and they of course are going to identify with their family members over imaginary lines.
I bet it’s just easier to go by their tribe, I know the name of the one I live by and been asked by their members if I’m part of X tribe because I look similar
sometimes the “tribe name” is actually a slur made by colonizers,gotta double check that
True or if not a slur a major butchering of the language, so far the one Im close to use the name in their government so that’s the one I figure they go by now
This does take some research but figure everyone living in
should do the bare minimum of knowing
Idk, it seems like calling them Native Americans is as tricky as well. Usually I try to call them, but if you meet an actual indigenous person, I guess going with what they prefer to call themselves would do.