Native American name controversy facts for kids
This article talks about the different names used for Indigenous peoples in the Americas. It's a big discussion about what names these groups prefer to be called, and how others should refer to them. Different groups and people in different places might prefer different names. There isn't one name that everyone agrees on because Indigenous communities are very diverse.
For a long time, many Indigenous people in the Americas were called "Indians." People in the Arctic were often called "Eskimos." Today, these names are not used as much in official talks. Sometimes, groups are named based on their language, where they live, or their history. Examples include "Algonquin-speaking peoples" or "Pueblo-dwelling peoples."
When Europeans arrived in the Americas in the 1400s and 1500s, they used many names for the Indigenous peoples. Some of these names came from French or Spanish words. Others were attempts to translate native names. Sadly, some names were also used to be mean or unfair, especially during times of conflict like the American Indian Wars.
In recent times, Indigenous peoples have spoken up about how they want to be known. They have asked for old names that are wrong or racist to be stopped. In the United States, the government started using "Native American" to show that Indigenous peoples were here first. This term is now widely used, but not all Indigenous groups fully accept it. Many different names are used, and what's preferred can change by region or what it means politically or culturally.
In Canada, "First Nations" is often used for groups covered by the Indian Act. "Indigenous peoples" is a wider term that includes Inuit and Métis people, who are not part of the First Nations category.
Contents
Why Names Matter: Issues in the Debate
Many things affect how people talk about names for Indigenous peoples.
- Old Names and Family Use: Some older Indigenous people have used names like "Indian" all their lives. Their families might still use these familiar terms.
- Words That Feel Wrong: Some words, like "Eskimo," are seen as old-fashioned or insulting.
- Names from Outsiders: Some names were given by outsiders, not by the tribes themselves. For example, "Nez Perce" is a French phrase. "Native American" was created by the US government.
- Racist Meanings: Some names are thought to be racist or have become racist over time, like "Redskin."
- Names from Colonial Governments: People often reject names given by governments that took over their lands.
- Too Broad or Not Broad Enough: Some names might include too many groups or not enough. "Aboriginal" is often linked to Indigenous Australians. The United Nations uses "Indigenous" for tribal peoples worldwide. "Native American" usually doesn't include Indigenous peoples in Canada or Mexico.
- Wanting Their Own Names: Many tribal peoples prefer to be called by their traditional names, not a general group name.
- Showing Diversity: Using one collective name can wrongly suggest that all Indigenous cultures are the same. They are actually many different nations and cultures.
- Confusion with India: The term "Indians" can be confusing because it's also used for people from India.
Names in the United States
"Indian" and "American Indian"
When Christopher Columbus sailed in 1492, Europeans often called all of South and East Asia "India." Columbus thought he had reached Asia when he landed in the Antilles. So, he called the people he met "Indians." Other Europeans started using this name too. For centuries, Indigenous peoples of the Americas were called "Indians." This is why the Caribbean islands are still known as the West Indies.
As Europeans settled in the Americas, they learned that the people were not all the same. They were different societies with their own languages. Even so, the general term "Indian" continued to be used.
In 1968, the American Indian Movement (AIM) started in the United States. In 1977, a group from AIM chose to call themselves "American Indian" at a United Nations meeting. Some Indigenous leaders, like Russell Means, still prefer "American Indian" over "Native American."
Why "Indian" is Questioned
Many people object to "Indian" and "American Indian" because the name came from a mistake. It doesn't correctly show where the people are from. Some also feel the term has become negative over time. Also, "American Indian" is sometimes thought to only mean people in the mainland US. This leaves out groups like the Alaskan Natives (such as Inuit and Yup'ik) and Native Hawaiians.
However, supporters of "Indian" and "American Indian" say these terms have been used for so long that many people are used to them. Both terms are still widely used. "American Indian" is found in many treaties and laws. It is also the term used in the US Census.
"Native American"
The term "native American" has been used since the 1700s, but it wasn't always clear if it meant Indigenous peoples or just anyone born in America. In the 1850s, some white Americans used "Native Americans" to set themselves apart from new immigrants.
In 1918, the Native American Church was formed. The use of "Native American" to mean Indigenous peoples of the Americas became common during the civil rights era of the 1960s and 1970s. This term was seen as more accurate because it showed that these cultures were here before Europeans. It was also thought to be free of negative meanings.
By the 1990s, many style guides agreed that "Native American" should be capitalized, like other ethnic groups. Some people object to "Native American" because it might not include groups outside the main US, like those in Alaska, Hawaii, or Canada. The word "American" is also sometimes questioned because people lived here before the land was called "America."
In 1995, the US Census Bureau found that 50% of Indigenous people preferred "American Indian," while 37% preferred "Native American."
"Indigenous"
The word "Indigenous" means that something or someone is native to a place, rather than coming from somewhere else. The United Nations started using "Indigenous peoples" in official documents in 2002. This term is now used to describe ethnic groups with long historical ties to a territory before it was colonized or became a nation.
"Aboriginal"
The word "aboriginal" comes from a Latin phrase meaning "from the origin." It was used to refer to various Indigenous peoples until about 1910. Today, it is most often used for Indigenous Australians. In Canada, "aboriginal" is a legal term in the Canadian Constitution Act of 1982.
"Alaska Native"
"Alaska Native" refers to the Indigenous peoples in Alaska. This includes groups like the Aleut, Inuit, and Yup'ik peoples. This term is common because it's used in a law called the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. It covers many different cultures and language families in Alaska.
"Eskimo"
The term "Eskimo" was once common, but many now see it as insulting. It is being replaced by "Inuit" or the names groups use for themselves. One reason it's seen as insulting is the wrong idea that it means "eaters of raw meat" in some Algonquian languages.
"Inuit"
In 1977, the Inuit Circumpolar Council officially chose "Inuit" as the name for circumpolar Indigenous groups in the USA, Canada, Greenland, and Russia. "Inuit" means 'the people.'
"Amerind" or "Amerindian"
The terms "Amerind" and "Amerindian" combine "American Indian." They were created in 1902 by the American Anthropological Association. These terms are mostly used in studies of people and languages, not by Indigenous peoples themselves.
Names in Canada
"Canadian Indians"
The Canadian Indian Act, first passed in 1876, uses "Indians" to define the rights of recognized First Nations people. The government department responsible for these groups was called "Indian Affairs." The Act officially recognizes "Status Indians," and lands for First Nations are called "Indian reserves." Some First Nations communities still use "Indian Band" in their official names.
"Aboriginal peoples" and "Indigenous peoples"
In Canada, "Aboriginal peoples in Canada" is a term for all Indigenous peoples in the country. This includes the Inuit, First Nations, and Métis. More recently, "Indigenous peoples" has become more common. In 2015, the government department changed its name to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.
"First Nations"
"First Nations" became widely used in the 1980s to replace "Indian band." Some say Elder Sol Sanderson created the term. Others say it became common in the 1970s to avoid the word "Indian," which some found offensive. There is no legal definition for "First Nations." However, the Assembly of First Nations, a national group for First Nations people, adopted the term in 1985. When talking about one person, people often say "First Nations person."
"First Peoples"
"First Peoples" is a broad term that includes First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. Because it's similar to "First Nations," the two terms are sometimes used in the same way.
"Native Canadians"
"Native" or "Native Canadian" can be unclear. Some people, including some Indigenous people, use it in casual talk. However, many Indigenous peoples find it offensive because they existed before Canada was formed and do not see themselves as "Canadians."
Canadian French Names
In Canadian French, "First Nations" is première(s) nation(s). "Aboriginal" is autochtone. The term indien or indienne is in old laws but is not acceptable today. First Nations in Québec have asked to stop using amérindien because it contains indien (Indian). The word indigène is also not used because it sounds like indigent (poor) and has negative history from French colonial times. The old French term sauvage ("wild, savage") is also no longer used because it is considered racist.
"Inuit"
The people of the Canadian Arctic are officially known as the Inuit. This means 'the people.' One person is an Inuk. This name was chosen in 1977 by the Inuit Circumpolar Conference. Canada's Constitution Act, 1982 uses "Inuit." Their language is often called Inuktitut.
Regional Names
"Anishinaabe"
The word Anishinaabe (also Anishinabe) is used as a term for many tribes in areas where Algonquian languages are common. This includes parts of the United States.
Chinook Jargon Names
The Chinook Jargon was an old trade language in the Pacific Northwest. It used siwash (from the French sauvage) for "Indian" or "Native American." Many native communities find sauvage and siwash offensive, especially when non-natives use them.
The Chinook Jargon word for a native woman is klootchman. This word was adopted into English. It means a native woman or, in the Jargon, any woman. Generally, klootchman is not seen as insulting. However, the short form klootch is always considered insulting.
Names Used Around the World
"Indigenous peoples"
In the late 1900s, "Indigenous peoples" became a political term. It refers to groups with historical ties to lands before colonization or the formation of a country. The "I" is always capitalized when talking about a group of people. For example, "Indigenous peoples of Panama." The "s" in "peoples" shows that there are many different Indigenous groups.
Turtle Islander
Another less common term refers to the continent: Turtle Island. Many Indigenous stories say that North America rests on a turtle's back. This idea has spread across many Indigenous nations. "Turtle Islander" is a way to name people based on their home continent, like how Europeans are named after Europe.
Names That Cause Problems
Indian princess
The term "Indian princess" is often seen as insulting to Native American women. Native Americans did not have a European idea of royalty, so "princess" was not part of their traditions. When non-Natives dress up in "Indian Princess" costumes, it is usually seen as offensive and a form of cultural appropriation.
Some Indigenous groups, like at powwows or colleges, use "Princess" in titles for pageants. These events recognize cultural skills and leadership. However, some participants are asking to stop using "Princess" because of negative stereotypes. They want to use more culturally correct names.
Injun
"Injun" is an old mispronunciation of "Indian" from the 1600s. Today, it is seen as very offensive. It was used to make fun of Native Americans' English. Indigenous peoples say this word is insulting and it is not widely used.
Redskin / Red Indian
Some Europeans used to call Native Americans "Red Indians." This term was used in the 1700s and 1800s. It was partly based on using colors to describe races. It also helped tell Native Americans apart from people from India. The Beothuk people of Newfoundland used red ochre to paint their bodies and belongings, which also led to the term "Red Indians."
The term "Redskins" is now seen as very offensive by Native Americans. It was used when Native Americans were hunted for bounties, and body parts were taken as "proof of kill." An American football team, the Washington Redskins, changed its name in 2020 because of protests. Native Americans have been protesting against these names since the 1970s.
The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) says that names like "Redskins" create harmful stereotypes. They say sports teams profit from these stereotypes that started when white superiority was common.
Savage
Anthropologists once used "savage" as a general term for Indigenous peoples worldwide. Early US government records sometimes used this term for Indian nations. This was linked to the idea that non-Christian people were "savages." Early thinkers like Lewis H. Morgan even suggested that societies evolved from "savagery" to "barbarism" and then to "civilization."
European Christians also used the word "heathens" for Native Americans. This was an insulting Christian term for people who did not worship the Christian god.
Squaw
The English word "squaw" is considered very offensive, insulting, and racist when used for Indigenous women. It is often grouped with other words that suggest a colonial idea of inferiority based on race. There is a movement to remove "squaw" from place names across the United States.
Some academics try to say the word might have had a different, non-offensive meaning originally. However, this would only apply to the original Algonquian language sounds, not the English word used as a slur today. Any attempt to "reclaim" the word would not help the many Native American women affected by this insult.
See also
- Abya Yala, a proposed native name (from the Kuna language) for the Americas, avoiding the mention of Amerigo Vespucci or Richard Amerike
- Native American name controversy § Notes
- Lamanites
Images for kids
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1693 nautical chart of the Atlantic Ocean marked with "Route d'Europe aux Indes Occidentales" or "West Indies"
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1492 Behaim globe (Erdapfel), with the label "India" located in what appears to be southern China, but also near the label Ciamba, i.e. the Indianized kingdom Champa in what is now southern Vietnam. Columbus thought he had arrived in Champa (compare Native American name controversy § Notes), part of the East Indies, his original goal.
