Introduction & 1st question: American Indian or Native American?

Guests are drawn to the National Museum of the American Indian for a kaleidoscope of reasons and intentions. One is to experience Native cultures, an experience that is enhanced when visitors have an opportunity to speak with staff members face-to-face. People working at the museum’s welcome desk, as cultural interpreters, in visitor services, and at the resource center all serve on the front lines, meeting, greeting, and answering questions.

I am an American Indian and one of these liaisons for the museum. My name is Dennis Zotigh. I am Kiowa, Santee Dakota, and Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. I grew up receiving cultural knowledge from both my maternal and paternal grandparents. My parents further made sure that I was well acquainted with first-hand knowledge of other, diverse tribal cultures and their aesthetics, across North America.

With this rich foundation, I became the director of an internationally known professional Native dance company and traveled to 26 countries representing American Indians. Recognizing my working knowledge, the Oklahoma Historical Society hired me to help develop the Indian gallery of the new Oklahoma History Center as a researcher and historian. While presenting a conference paper at the British Museum in London in 2004, I was approached by co-presenter, Terry Snowball, who’s now my colleague. Terry encouraged me to apply for the advisor position for the 2005 National Powwow.  I got the job, and my personal Native history began a new chapter.

My experience both traveling abroad and speaking daily to guests who visit our museum has shown me that there is a worldwide fascination with Indian cultures. I believe in the philosophy that the only bad question is the one that is never asked. I’ve been asked the gamut of questions pertaining to Native culture, from the insulting (a good test for that theory) to the academic and cultural-specific.

Beginning with this blog, I’d like to share a series of questions that I’ve been asked, give my answers, and invite you to discuss, debate, and add your personal ideas and experiences.

The first question is, “What do we call you, American Indian or Native American?”

My answer? Ultimately, I would like to be referred to by my tribal names of Kiowa, Santee Dakota, and Ohkay Owingeh! Most Native people also appreciate being associated with their particular tribes. But I know this is difficult. In actuality, the reference of Native American vs. American Indian is largely generational. My grandparents and other Native elders first referred to themselves by their tribes, although I also heard them less frequently refer to themselves as American Indian.  I refer to myself by my tribal affiliation first, but don’t mind being called Indian.

The generation younger than mine refers to themselves as Native Americans. Others have followed their politically correct identity. Were you born in the United States? If so, you are technically a native American, a label that literally describes anyone who was born in and remains a citizen of a country in North, South, or Central America.

"Indian" is the term used in federal law. It is also the official term used by major U.S. Indian agencies and organizations, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Health Service, National Congress of the American Indians, National Indian Education Association, and National Museum of the American Indian. In modern usage, the legal term "Indian" usually means an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe (or one who is eligible to be enrolled in a federally recognized tribe).

 

Please comment and turn this blog into a conversation.

Comments

[Beverly S. Louis]

American Indian, then maybe tribal.

[Holly Stewart, NMAI]

Dennis's post has prompted a number of comments on the museum's popular Facebook page. If you have something you'd like to add, please do, in the comments here or at http://www.facebook.com/NationalMuseumoftheAmericanIndianinDC. We're interested in what you're thinking.

Here's the roundup for Monday afternoon:

Diana D.— North American Indian

Nancy R.— I always prefer American Indian.

Breeze W.— To me 'American Indian' implies there are two kinds of Indian. I much prefer NATIVE American since we were here first and still are going strong in the 21st century!

Nancy R.— Native!!! There are too many natives. Whites saying they're native from where ever they live or come from. Come on now! American Indian! WE'RE FROM AMERICA

Tessa T.— I agree, Breeze - that sums it up completely : )

Jolly C.— this semester i had a biology teach say that it was wrong to be calling myself Native american because we are all from africa. then he asked me what i wanted to be called. how bout the 1st people? sorry im not from india so Indian never sounded right to me

Jennifer D.— I prefer Copper River Athabascan from ALASKA for myself.

Carmen F.— INDIGENOUS

Sienna N.— I don't use either, because we were here prior to any "America".... I simply state my tribe.... but for applications and such I use Native American, because I'm "native" before I'm "American".

Art W.— Thanks, Mr. Zotigh. A good clear explanation. Sincerely,
Art Wolf (Swensk, Norsk, Volga Deutsch).

[Jolynne]

Don't care to carry the brand that Christopher Columbus gave!

[Sandra]

I think it should be Native North American because America is a continent and if you say Native American that is a general name for all of the continent native people. But there's a difference between North, Central and South America. And as far a being called and Indian, I don't think the term is right, because we have nothing to do with India.

[Vladimir]

it is nice to read and learn about different cultures
.
Thank You for taking time to wright this

[Dennis Zotigh]

Lately I have heard Indian people referring to other Indian people as "Natives and Indigenous Americans."

[albert duncan]

I think you are all basically just Americans

[Sell A Gun Online]

I am one of the millions of citizens that fancied saying I had some "Indian" blood in me while I was growing up. While I'm sure there are many people in the United States with "Indian" blood in them, I'm sure many are like me and really have no proof of that statement.

I do remember when I was saying that as a kid I was thinking about how proud I was to say that and said it as a part of the bragging every kid does.

When I think of "Indians" now I think of a noble and proud race of people that, even though there were many different tribes, I would love to be associated with.

I definitely hate the way Indians were treated by the europeans that settled here and stole the lands.

But this is a great question, "What should the people who lived here before the arrogant europeans arrived be called?"

I think they should be called, with all respect, whatever they want to be called.

But it would be great if there were a name invented or dragged up from their past that conveyed what a proud and noble people they truly are.

[Lunch dating in Norfolk]

Great post!

[Kulwinder Barnala]

It is nice that you are moderating this blog, otherwise spammers fill it with garbage.

[Joe Mackey]

Although my genealogy goes back to Indian blood about 10-11 generations back, I don't feel native, but I do think to be called Native Americans commands more respect from Joe-public.

[William Smith]

Native American is both descriptive and referential, as a "native" is a natural inhabitant of a place. I work with people from India, and I find it hard to even use the term Indian, after all these strange misnomers! I have to use East-Indian.

[sptot]

Human Being

[chris]

Dennis truly seeks to preserve the past, to broaden how Native Americans are viewed in the present and to create new opportunities for Indian youth in the future.

[budosuhi]

Dennis's post has prompted a number of comments on the museum's popular Facebook page. If you have something you'd like to add, please do, in the comments here.

[Grow Taller 4 Idiots]

American Indian or Native American?
Really fantastic post...
Keep on Going...

[David Deangelo]

Love this topic. Thanks for posting.

[Geoff Dodd]

Native American is apt as it implies that the Indian tribes were there first, before the settlers from the old England, European etc origins. Land should in theory belong to the indigenous, 'native Americans.'
http://education4now.com/

[pedro]

Dennis is a great man and a truly great American. This country seems to forget our "native" people and are totally ignorant to the richness of their history.

[Rozlinesmith]

Great article highlighting common but interesting issue. I agree that One should not be ashamed of being affiliate himself openly to his tribe or belongings. My father used to say the same thing and he did not feel any shame in highlighting his tribal background.

[John]

It shows how clearly you fully grasp this matter. Bookmarked this page,many thanks god someone that basically knows what they are talking about – thank you

[Candace Barr]

I love this article and have shared it with my family. My great grandmother was full-blooded Cherokee. I personally like Native American.

[Jan]

It is surely Native North American.

there is nice information.

great article to highlighted here.

[Martha Vazquez]

it should be Native North American !!!!!

[mark202]

hi nice site

Dennis is an example of a real patriot. Dennis truly seeks to preserve the past, to broaden how Native Americans are viewed in the present and to create new Although my genealogy goes back to Indian blood about 10-11 generations back, I don't feel native, but I do think to be called Native Americans commands more.

[Isla Pergola]

Living in Central America, although most people are referred to as Panamanian, Nicaraguan or which ever country they were born in, when it comes to classification, it is proper to refer to them by tribe such as the Kuna People for example.

Isla Pergola

[Luise]

Cool Article... 100% agree

[Harold Gutierrez]

In Colombia, the tribes have been displaced by violence and this has led to gradually lose the ancestral traditions of them all, and greatly increased poverty. is a shame.
thanks

[Sammy]

One should not be ashamed of one's origin. That's what I feel. Today you find people trying to blend into the herd and losing their distinctive identity. Preserving your identity is not bad though you may be the butt of jokes by insensitive people. Every culture has something to offer to the world and we can learn from them.

I like the American Natives, they have a very nice culture.
In Mexico there are a lot of Mexican Tribes

[Daniel]

I like the article.

[John Adams]

wow,thanks for posting this quality information,really informative learnt something new!

[sweetie]

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[miko]

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[Dottie Watters]

William Shakespeare wrote: "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Meaning no matter what people are actually called as a group, they are still individual characters with personalities all their own.

So whether it is American Indians or Native Americans, you are still a group of people with a rich heritage.

Best wishes,

Dottie

[Darryl Smith]

Whilst the debate rages, as an African living away from Africa, the same sort of issue reared it's head with me. As far as I am concerned, I am African first and foremost, irrespective of what anyone else thinks.

Pride in ones own heritage is great to see, and its shows in this article.

Best wishes from all at Elliptical Trainers

[George Mack]

Nice information for me I have to
bookmark it thanks buddy

[Desmond Desmarais]

Native American history is unbelievably rich and yet movies, television and media rarely focus on it. And it's a big part of why America is what it is today.

[benbenez]

I appreciate your article.One should not feel inferior regarding his origin as every culture has something to learn from it.
EXCELLENT POST.

benbenez

[toothpaste on pimples]

Dennis has done something worthwhile to try to preserve the history of the past and this is something that is important for the future.

[wow character]

En Colombia, las tribus han sido desplazadas por la violencia y esto ha llevado a perder poco a poco las tradiciones ancestrales de todos ellos, y la pobreza aumenta considerablemente. Es una vergüenza.
gracias

[dennis zotigh]

wow character, Comprendo. ¿Quizás de ahí que algunos tribus de la selva escojan mover más profundo en la selva y no tener contacto con el mundo del exterior?

[michelle]

Until I read this post I really didn't think it mattered whether the terms Native American or American Indian were used. But now that I know there is a legal definition for Indian and it seems to be a very generic association to a tribe, then I would have to say that being called by their name and tribe would be the best and Native American also a respectful way to reference a person or tribe. What I do know is they need to be recognized for their incredible contribution to America through their culture. We can remember there history through their art and prints of their life.

[ozra]

As a non American, maybe my comments mean little, but nevertheless here goes:
the American Indians are true Native Americans with a supremely rich background and History.

I feel that their past knowledge of how the Earth and its Vibratiobs etc should be resurrected - they were in touch with Universal Energy.