I know each of you who are Native are fiercely proud of the individual tribes that you are affiliated with. It would be nice for everybody in the world to automatically ask you what tribe you are. But not everyone does.
I work in a position where I deal with the general public. I answer Native questions from children and scholars on a daily basis. One of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) I get is "Which is correct? Native American or American Indian?"
My first response is, "Most Native people prefer to be called by their tribes."
My second response is, "Being called Native American, American Indian and Indian is a generational self designation. Today, it is polically correct to say Native American. In my generation we are American Indian. In my father and grandfather's generation, they were called Indian."
Aside from being called by your individual tribe(s), do you prefer to be referred as:
1. Native American
2. American Indian
3. First Nation
4. Indian
5. Native
6. Aboriginal
7. Indigenous
8. Leave me alone and don't call me anything? *L
Why?
I work in a position where I deal with the general public. I answer Native questions from children and scholars on a daily basis. One of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) I get is "Which is correct? Native American or American Indian?"
My first response is, "Most Native people prefer to be called by their tribes."
My second response is, "Being called Native American, American Indian and Indian is a generational self designation. Today, it is polically correct to say Native American. In my generation we are American Indian. In my father and grandfather's generation, they were called Indian."
Aside from being called by your individual tribe(s), do you prefer to be referred as:
1. Native American
2. American Indian
3. First Nation
4. Indian
5. Native
6. Aboriginal
7. Indigenous
8. Leave me alone and don't call me anything? *L
Why?

Comment