The original inhabtants of America were called Indians because Christopher Columbus thought he had arrived in India, but the term stuck even after it was known that this was a newly discovered continant.
But the native American people are not entitled to be called Indian. They were not from India and have nothing to do with that country. Indian refers to a nationality, of the country of India, and the people who are truly entitled to be called American Indian are people from India who have immigrated to America.
A more accurate term for the Navajos, Hopis, Apaches, Etc. would be Abroriginal American or the currently used Native American.
2007-01-18
06:08:27
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11 answers
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Anonymous
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History