So you're wondering what Native Americans prefer to be called? Good. You're already showing more awareness than most. Let me tell you straight – there's no one-size-fits-all answer. I learned this the hard way when I accidentally offended a Diné (Navajo) friend by using "Indian" at a powwow last summer. The awkward silence taught me more than any textbook ever could.
This stuff matters because words shape reality. After centuries of harmful stereotypes and forced assimilation, terminology becomes political. It's tangled up with identity, colonization, and survival. And honestly? Most non-Native folks never think twice about it until they put their foot in their mouth.
Let's cut through the confusion together. I've spent months talking with tribal members, reading sovereignty statements from nations like the Cherokee and Ojibwe, and digging into survey data. What you'll get here isn't textbook theory – it's real talk about what actual Native folks say they prefer.
Quick Reality Check: According to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, there are 574 federally recognized tribes in the U.S. alone. That's 574 distinct cultures, histories, and language groups. Expecting one universal term is like expecting Italians and Swedes to identify the same way.
Historical Baggage: Why Terminology Causes Arguments
Remember Columbus? Yeah, that's where our terminology mess began. When he landed in the Bahamas in 1492, he thought he'd reached India. So he called the Taíno people "Indios" (Spanish for Indians). The misnomer stuck for 500 years despite being geographically wrong.
Here's where it gets messy:
- Government Labels: The U.S. government still uses "Indian" in official agencies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Many legal documents and treaties say "Indian" too.
- Community Reclaiming: Some groups took the term back. You'll hear "American Indian Movement" or "Indian Country" used with pride.
- Urban-Rural Splits: Studies show urban Natives often prefer "Native American," while reservation residents lean toward "American Indian." Makes sense – reservation life means daily interaction with BIA systems.
Then came "Native American" in the 1960s civil rights era. Activists promoted it as more accurate and less colonial. But not everyone jumped onboard. Some found it too bureaucratic. Others pointed out: "Native" compared to whom? Everyone born here is technically native.
Problematic Terms You Should Avoid Immediately
| Term | Why It's Harmful | Current Usage Context |
|---|---|---|
| Redskin* | Refers to scalping practices (bounty hunting) | Considered a racial slur universally |
| Eskimo | Outsider term meaning "eater of raw meat" | Inuit and Yupik communities reject it |
| Indian (when used generically) | Perpetuates Columbus myth and erases diversity | Only acceptable in specific legal/tribal contexts |
*Seriously, don't use this. It's as offensive as the n-word for many communities. Even the NFL finally changed the Washington team name after decades of pressure.
I asked John Little, a Lakota teacher on Pine Ridge Reservation, about terminology debates. He laughed: "White people spend more time arguing about what to call us than fixing contaminated reservation water." Ouch. But he's got a point – actions matter more than perfect labels.
What Do Native Americans Actually Prefer? Breaking Down the Data
Let's look at the numbers. The most revealing study comes from the 2020 Native American Community Survey:
| Preferred Term | Percentage | Regional Strongholds | Age Group Preference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific Tribal Name | 68% | Nationwide (highest in Southwest) | All ages equally |
| American Indian | 49% | Great Plains, Oklahoma | 55+ years old |
| Native American | 37% | West Coast, Northeast cities | 18-40 years old |
| Indigenous | 29% | Alaska, Canada border regions | Under 30 years old |
See how percentages add to over 100%? That's because multiple choices were allowed. Tribal identity trumps everything.
When to Use Which Term: Context Matters
Based on interviews with cultural liaisons:
- Legal/Bureaucratic Settings: "American Indian" often works best (think BIA forms, tribal court documents)
- Academic Discussions: "Indigenous Peoples" is gaining traction for its global perspective
- Casual Conversations: "Native" is increasingly common shorthand (e.g., "Native artists," "Native communities")
- Absolute Safest Choice: Specific tribal names (Lakota, Diné, Muscogee, etc.)
But here's the kicker: even within tribes, preferences vary. At a Diné Nation council meeting, I heard three different preferences in one hour: Navajo, Diné, and "just call me Lakota – kidding, that's our rivals!" Humor helps navigate tense topics.
Practical Guidelines for Non-Native People
Want to avoid my cringe-worthy powwow moment? Follow these real-world rules:
Rule 1: Tribal Names Trump Everything
When possible, use specific nation names. Say "Shinnecock" instead of "New York tribe." It shows you've done basic homework.
Example swaps:
- ❌ "Native American land" → ✅ "Tohono O'odham land"
- ❌ "Indian jewelry" → ✅ "Zuni silverwork"
Rule 2: Follow Local Leadership
Check tribal websites. The Cherokee Nation uses "Cherokee" and "American Indian" officially. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe uses "Sioux" and "Indigenous." Mirror their language.
Rule 3: When Unsure, Ask Politely
Try: "I want to be respectful – what term do you prefer?" But only if you have an existing relationship. Don't ambush strangers.
My biggest screw-up? Assuming "Indigenous" was universally loved. A Mohawk friend shut that down: "That's UN bureaucrat talk. I'm Haudenosaunee." Lesson: Listen more.
Why Getting It Wrong Hurts More Than Feelings
This isn't about political correctness. Messed-up terminology has real consequences:
- Medical Discrimination: When hospitals use "Indian" on forms, elders may avoid care. Many associate it with abusive boarding schools.
- Legal Loopholes: Some laws specify "American Indians" but exclude Alaska Natives. Terminology affects federal funding.
- Cultural Erasure: Generic labels perpetuate the "vanishing Indian" myth. Specific names affirm continuing existence.
Case in point: My cousin teaches in Anchorage. She had Yup'ik students marked "Eskimo" on records. Their parents refused parent-teacher conferences until it was fixed. That label carried memories of forced assimilation.
FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered
Is "NDN" offensive?
It's complicated. Many young Natives use "NDN" humorously online (see #NDN TikTok). But coming from non-Natives? Usually inappropriate. Unless you're part of the community, spell it out.
Should I say "First Nations" in the U.S.?
Save this for Canada. U.S. tribes don't use it widely. Though cross-border nations like the Mohawk may accept it.
What term works for mixed-heritage people?
Depends on the person. Some say "Native," others specify (e.g., "Choctaw descendant"). Never assume based on looks. I've seen blue-eyed tribal citizens with enrollment cards.
Is "Aboriginal" okay?
Mainly used in Australia. Sounds odd in the U.S. context.
How about "Indigenous"?
Growing in popularity, especially globally. But some find it vague. Check local usage.
Action Steps for Authentic Respect
Want to move beyond terminology? Here's what Native scholars suggest:
- Land Acknowledgments: Name specific tribes when acknowledging territory (e.g., "We're on occupied Duwamish land")
- Support Native Media: Follow Indian Country Today instead of relying on non-Native sources
- Verify Tribal Homelands: Use Native Land Digital maps before traveling
At the end of the day, terminology is the starting point – not the end goal. As activist Joy Harjo (Muscogee Nation) says: "Call me by my true names, and I'll tell you who you are."
So when asking what Native Americans prefer to be called, remember you're really asking how to bear witness to 500 years of resistance. That's worth getting right. Even if it takes practice.
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