what does it mean to be indigenous?

Question

isnt this term fairly offensive? what do you think?

wikipedia is not a source....

those answers suck...

common sense can not be tested

Answer 1

Native to that area or region.

The term indigenous peoples has no universal, standard or fixed definition. Several widely-accepted formulations have been put forward by important internationally-recognised organizations, such as the United Nations, the International Labour Organization and the World Bank.

Answer 2

To be indigenous is not an offensive term at all. To be indigenous is to be a native of an island or country and speak the original language etc. For example, the Aborigines of Australia are an indigenous population...as are American Indians.

Answer 3

Offensive? I don’t understand how. It simply means the following.

indigenous  –adjective
1.originating in and characteristic of a particular region or country; native (often fol. by to): the plants indigenous to Canada; the indigenous peoples of southern Africa.
2.innate; inherent; natural (usually fol. by to): feelings indigenous to human beings.

If someone is applying some other meaning to it, that’s their problem and has nothing to do with the actual meaning of the word.

Answer 4

I don't know about it being offensive, but I guess any word can become offensive depending on how you use it.

Anyway, "indigenous" means original to.

One example is the American Indians. They were indigenous to North America long before the white man showed up, and decided to settle there.

The same is for the Aborigines in Australia. They were there long before the white men (mostly deported prisoners if memory serves me right) settle there.

The same can be said for wildlife, plant life, and even insects.

I hope this answers your question.

Answer 5

Why would it be offensive? It means "native to.."

Here is a definition from dictionary.com:

originating in and characteristic of a particular region or country; native (often fol. by to): the plants indigenous to Canada; the indigenous peoples of southern Africa.

nothing offensive...

Answer 6

Native

Answer 7

Europeans in Europe are indigenous to Europe... whereas Europeans in North America or Australia are not indigenous to those parts of the world.

Answer 8

I use that term to try and avoid being offensive! I can't say British to describe the indigenous people of Britain because people who are born in Britain, but don't have roots here might feel offended and excluded.

Answer 9

. originating in and characteristic of a particular region or country; native (often fol. by to): the plants indigenous to Canada; the indigenous peoples of southern Africa.

Answer 10

i think not, because most people for example call natives or indigenous people indians when they have nothing to do with indians from india, so i think it's a more better term to use when refering to someone that is from that place, town or nation