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HelpHuh?
in reply to a message by Starla Roxanne
I really don't know what term to use now. I thought "Native American" was the correct term, considering that "Indian" is derived from Columbus's geographical misconception? Am I seriously misinformed here?
As far as I know "native" means the same as "indigenous". Surely indigenous people have been stereotyped and misrepresented by colonialists (and, considering your comment that they "run around the jungle with spears and bones through their noses", many still are) - but I've never heard that the term "native" has been dismissed for that. I mean, "native country" and "native tongue" are generally used, aren't they? Couldn't a travel guide say "the natives" for "the locals"?
So, what is the correct term to refer to all the different nations of "Native Americans" as a whole? You're using "Indian" - but outside of North American that means predominantly "pertaining to India". I suppose "American Indian" is the way to go, but would that include Canadian Indians? I'm really confused now.
As far as I know "native" means the same as "indigenous". Surely indigenous people have been stereotyped and misrepresented by colonialists (and, considering your comment that they "run around the jungle with spears and bones through their noses", many still are) - but I've never heard that the term "native" has been dismissed for that. I mean, "native country" and "native tongue" are generally used, aren't they? Couldn't a travel guide say "the natives" for "the locals"?
So, what is the correct term to refer to all the different nations of "Native Americans" as a whole? You're using "Indian" - but outside of North American that means predominantly "pertaining to India". I suppose "American Indian" is the way to go, but would that include Canadian Indians? I'm really confused now.
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I suppose "American Indian" is the way to go, but would that include Canadian Indians? I'm really confused now.
America is a continent that includes Canada, so yes. I know "America" is commonly used to refer to the United States, but technically it refers to the continent as a whole.
America is a continent that includes Canada, so yes. I know "America" is commonly used to refer to the United States, but technically it refers to the continent as a whole.
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Indian
I have been told by many Native Americans that the terms Indian (which generally means from India) and Native are both not acceptable terms. I was told that Native American is okay, though a little bit odd sounding it is acceptable. As a whole that is the term you would use, but calling them by the name of their tribe or group is more acceptable and generally encouraged. I live in Alaska, so we have plenty of Native Americans here. People call them Natives, but only in bad situations (which goes to show that the term is negative). Example: "The natives are always drunk and beating on their wives." as opposed to "The Yupik are starting a whale hunt this week." You catch the drift?
I know the term Native is acceptable when used as "native country" "native tongue", but over time the word (atleast here in Alaska) has been given only negative connotations when speaking about groups or individuals.
I have been told by many Native Americans that the terms Indian (which generally means from India) and Native are both not acceptable terms. I was told that Native American is okay, though a little bit odd sounding it is acceptable. As a whole that is the term you would use, but calling them by the name of their tribe or group is more acceptable and generally encouraged. I live in Alaska, so we have plenty of Native Americans here. People call them Natives, but only in bad situations (which goes to show that the term is negative). Example: "The natives are always drunk and beating on their wives." as opposed to "The Yupik are starting a whale hunt this week." You catch the drift?
I know the term Native is acceptable when used as "native country" "native tongue", but over time the word (atleast here in Alaska) has been given only negative connotations when speaking about groups or individuals.
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