Why use the term Native-American?

Question

The term Native-American is not correct in its usage to categorize one segment of the American population. Just because someone’s ancestors were already here and watched the other folks getting off the boat, does not make them anymore a Native than any other America. What is a native? It is someone born in the land in which they abide. So since I was born within the boarders of the United States of America that makes me a Native. Why do we need terms to identify ourselves beyond who we really are? If we are born in this country we are Native-Americans, its that simple. If you need to be put in a category and your ancestors were here before the Europeans showed up I guess you could be called ‘First-Americans’…at least it a more accurate statement if you are trying to pigeon hole yourself in one group. Now I realize that the term native-American is a made up term just like the term Hispanic that the national government uses to categorizes its citizens.

Answer 1

"Now I realize that the term native-American is a made up term just like the term Hispanic that the national government uses to categorizes its citizens."

You answered your very own question...
I am S'Klallam/Chippewa-Cree, I did not ask to be called Native American, it was a term "given" to us by white America...with the thought that it would be more PC.

And seeing as how my ancestors were here thousands of years before Europeans and Amerigo Vespucci-to call us "Native Americans" is a major misnomer, since it didn't become "America" until just a few hundred years ago! Although I do respond to "Native", it suits us well.

So...ask your government why they call us that...because we did not ask for this name.

Answer 2

The United States is a very young country. Whites have been here in mass for 300 years, plus or minus a few. The Native Americans you talk about have been here for thousands of years. So the whites are NOT the Native Americans and the indigenous people of North America. It is thought that the Native Americans are related to nomadic Asian tribes that came through the land bridge between Alaska and Asia as recently as 10,000 years ago ( it depends on the research you get ), but more likely, longer that that. The term Native American is generally meant to refer to the millions of people here pre-Columbus. You are correct though that if you are born here then you are certainly a native. The political correctness factor is that whites and especially the government of the USA since 1776 has completely and totally disregarded the people here before them. We were slaves, we were murdered, we were abused, and we were stolen from, and all of this supported by Presidents like Andrew Jackson and Ulysses Grant - and long before African-Americans were involved in the slave trade -which, by the way, was started by African Americans with the English first and only when the US became agricultural and more indenpendent did those same slave traders sell their fellow countrymen to the whites in the North and the South.

Answer 3

I've only met a few tribal members that were hung up on these labels, whether "Indian" or "Native American." Usually, it doesn't matter in our communities. I personally use Native most of the time, without the American. But, really, I use Indian and Native American interchangeably. My elders all said "Indian" when I was growing up. It was not an issue.

Answer 4

That's a good point. My own family heritage has been native to the USA for so long, we often refer to ourselves as "Heinz 57"... and my mother once replied that we are "American stock." We do have some roots from European heritage, however.... so that makes us different from those whose ancestors were purely American.

So the term "Native American" really means that their ancestors were born on this continent.


I♥♫→mia☼☺†

Answer 5

All terms are made up man. I know you wanted to think deep, but you barely got wet. Why call any of us Americans? It is a made up word after all isn't it? And is a Canadian an American? They are in America are they not? What about Mexicans, thats Mezo America... south America are they Americans?

People use terms to describe things to comunicate. People generaly understand what one means when they say Native American. Why do we not call them Indians? Well... some one before you said hey, they are not from India! Columbus was wrong! lets call them Native Americans!

Now you come along, and are like lets call them FIRST AMERICANS! Some day some one will come along and say something about that, such as America came after them, they realy were not first Americans, they had there own name for there lands!

Lets simplify and just call um Redskins? I'm part Iraquoi myself and could give a rats bumb what term you use, as long as its understandable. What you say is not as important as what you mean and why you say it.

Answer 6

Yep. African Americans are nowadays native Americans, as they have been born on this land. Euro Americans are Native Americans for the same reason. 'Native Americans' are just as native as everyone else born here

Answer 7

The term "native" is applied to all indigenous groups, it is not merely on this continent. Native Australians are also known as Aboriginal, but they are the native people of that land.

Answer 8

I have to agree but then we would have to refer the native american indian people by their tribes, such as Creek, Sioux, Cherokee, Taino, Aztec...
We would also have to call Mexicans, mestizos because they are part native american and spanish

Answer 9

Because some non-native Americans decided the previous name used for their culture was derogatory.

Answer 10

Because what they were being called was incorrect. They are their own culture and I think we need names to identify groups of people.