What did you call me??

I was working the other night and a co-worker noticed the tattoo I have on my forearm; a Native inspired wolf design. He then asked me if I were Native and I told him that I was.

“Is it ok to call Native people ‘Indians?’” he asked.

“Not really, it’s a term that is a little outdated,” I replied.

“But I heard some other Native people calling each other “Indians” the other day?!”

I laughed, “Yeah I know, but I’m sure you have some friends that call you certain names, which no one else can get away with.”

Upset I did not give him permission to call Native people “Indians,” he ended the conversion unsatisfied.

If I had a piece of bannock for every time I have had this conversation, I would be one fat Indian.

This post is intended to explain why certain Native people prefer to be called some terms, and/or why they do not like to be called other terms.

“Indians”-This term was coined because Columbus thought he discovered India. This is one reason some Native people don’t like to be called Indian. Also, this term hasn’t been used very well when talking about Native people in the past. Indian has also been used to describe over five hundred dark skinned nations (Rheault, 1995). Furthermore, the term Indian has been used by the media to reinforce a stereo-typical image of Natives.

“Aboriginal”- This term originates from the Canadian Government’s “Indian Act” (Weaver, 2001), and has been advertised as the “politically correct” term to call Native people these days. It has been described as the correct way to refer to Native, Inuit, and Métis people. I personally do not like this term for a couple of reasons. The first reason I don’t like this term is because it was created by the Canadian Government. As a Native person, I have a very large chip on my shoulder when it comes to the Canadian Government. The second reason I don’t like this term is because when you break it down it goes, Ab-Original, meaning not original. It is similar to Abnormal; meaning not normal. Also the fact that this term is used to describe Native people, Inuit people, and Métis in one-word is kind of offensive. I should clarify, it isn’t the Inuit people and Métis Nations that are offensive, quite contrary I have nothing but respect for these cultures and it is because of this respect that I am offended. We the Native people, the Inuit people, or the Métis Nations should not be lumped into one category.

“Native”-This term refers to someone who has Native ancestry. I don’t think I have met a person who has a problem with this one, so it’s probably your best bet.

“First Nations”-This is another term that is usually pretty safe to use. However, some people prefer to be called by the specific tribe that they are from.

"Indigenous"- This term is similar to Native, because it implies a natural belonging to the environment. I have noticed it is most common in academic writing.

Of these terms I prefer Native, First Nations, and Indigenous. I should mention that not all Native people feel exactly as I do in regards to all of these terms but I think most will agree.

References

Rheault, D'Arcy The Circle of Life: Thoughts on Contemporary Native Life. Trent University, 1995.

Weaver, Hilary Indigenous Identity. American Indian Quartly, 2001.