Why do Native American organizations still utilize the word "Indian"?

Question

Indians are from India. I would think that Native Americans themselves would be the first to rid themselves of an innacurate label. I ask this as I'm a case manager and one of my clients is Native American and involved in some reservation related legal stuff. All affiliated organizations use the word Indian instead of Native American. I just don't get it is all.

I'm not offended, it's just confusing when I'm trying to talk about something Indian (i.e. from India) and I get people thinking I'm talking about Native Americans. My dad deals in Indian furniture so this actually comes up more frequently than you would think. I'd say "Indian furniture" and people ask me if it's Cherokee or something...

Answer 1

they want to go to Native American but they have reservations

Answer 2

well, black people aren't technically black either. They are just using a label that has been in place for a long time. Native American is also just a label. My mother was born in America, which makes her a native American, but she is not Native American in the sense that her ancestors were indigenous peoples to this land. My father, however is Native American in both senses of the word, and still calls himself Indian. When my paternal ancestors were invaded by the Europeans, they did not call this land America, so why should we call ourselves Native Americans? That is also an inaccurate label.

I personally prefer the term "indigenous peoples" I identify with my tribal ancestors, and the name they gave themselves, rather than a label imposed by invaders.

The reason we should try to be politically correct is to not offend others. If they aren't offended, why are you?

Answer 3

For clarity's sake it is easier to use Indian for folks from India and Native American for folks native to the Americas....but wait. I'm born in the USA so that actually makes me a native Amer....Ouch! my head hurts.

Seriously,
Most of the folks I know who are American Indian (hey that's a clear enough term...what do you think) have realized it's not the word but the inflection in the voice or the thoughts of the person using it.
For example, the use of the words 'chattle', the 'n' word, "colored", "black", "African American." One replaced the former in an attempt to separate those who are bigots from those who are not. Turns out bigots can use new words too! So when a new label came into vogue they often - not always - used it too but in their hearts they still felt hostility and thought the old word/ways.

I do prefer to use the term American Indian in general and the tribe name (e.g. Creek, Navajo, Hopi.....) if known. It is confusing, I agree.

Answer 4

I am friends with both kinds of Indians.
People from India don't give it a second thought.
Native Americans identify themselves by their tribes.
The only time they call themselves native Americans is when they are sarcastically referring themselves.

The term Indian was an inaccurate label caused by old Chris Columbus who upon landing in North America thought that he had circumnavigated the globe all of the way to India.

Answer 5

Aboriginal or Indigenous can include people living on First Nation Territory, in urban settings, non-status Indians, Metis or just about anyone who doesn't know their tribal affiliation. It's a pretty wide term used to describe anyone whose people are indigenous to North America or Canada. First Nations began to be used back in time time when the Assembly of First Nations no longer used the National Indian Brotherhood. It simply means people considered a First People in North America, or in your reference, to Canada, and not someone who came over by ship back in the time when History likes to refer to North America or Canada as being discovered. Indian is used under the Indian Act of Canada. In this term the Metis or non status Indians are excluded and therefore certain "laws" affecting Indians would not apply. The Inuit are people of the Northern Canada. They can be considered as Aboriginal, and Indigenous as well. I've often referred to myself as Ojibwa or Potowatomi. But mainly I call myself Anishinabe, which includes both the Ojibwa or Potowatomi. So I guess that makes me a Native American, Aboriginal, Indigenous, Indian, First Nation, Ojibway, Potowatomi, Anishinabe woman.

Answer 6

Hmm I guess its because the word Indian isn't as long as saying Native American. "Indians" most times forget about political correctness. I some times forget to use the word Native American myself being an Indian..or i mean being Native American, when I am referring to my tribe.

Answer 7

WRONG... there is a difference between being native indian american and indian from India. it's called HISTORY

Answer 8

Becasue that is who they are. why does this bother you so much. it is coming across as though you are really bothered by this. Havent they dealt with enough of our telling them what to do, why can't we just allow them to be who they want to be. God bless

Answer 9

cause they can... they were here before there was a place called America.