references as "Indians", and not Native Americans?

The use and identification is a complex issue and it varies from individual to individual and tribe to tribe. While it is by no means universal, the further west you go the more likely you will find that American Indian is preferred but again it is really up to the individual. I would need to check my sources but I believe the term Native American was coined by the news print media as a means to be sensitive. Some feel as though they weren't asked if it was appropriate and welcomed.

All the "Native Americans"/"American Indians" I know call themselves Indians, or go by the name of the their tribe, ie, Nez Perce, Shoshoni, etc..

When I was in California I was told over and over I could only use the phrase "Native American."


As soon as the Indian Gaming Initiative qualified for the ballot, this was called into question. Why? Because the print, radio, and tv ads all showed Indians calling themselves Indians. The spokesfolk for the tribes referred to them and themselves as Indians. They needed votes, and talking down to people wasn't the way to get it. Moreover, they didn't have a problem referring to themselves or other tribes that way. It was when outsiders used the expression that they got bent out of shape, not because the expression itself had all that much baggage with it.


For many, dictating and controlling how people speak is just asking for courtesy, and if it's not met they're only mildly annoyed; for others, it's really dictating and controlling, and a lot of people like controlling others. If you can order somebody to speak a certain way, you most certain have power over them; and if they fail to follow your commands, then you get to shame them and try to humiliate them. Many on the left are into power trips, and they take what they can get no less their fellow-aspirers on the right. You can usually tell them by their hypocrisy; for many, it's a virtue.

All kinds of humorous threads get kicked and recommended. I don't understand why threads like this so easily languish.
Chasing cheap thrills I guess.

for truth