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.
American Indian, then maybe tribal.
Posted by: Beverly S. Louis | January 18, 2011 at 03:17 PM
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).
Posted by: Holly Stewart, NMAI | January 18, 2011 at 03:31 PM
Don't care to carry the brand that Christopher Columbus gave!
Posted by: Jolynne | January 18, 2011 at 03:59 PM
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.
Posted by: Sandra | January 29, 2011 at 11:39 AM
it is nice to read and learn about different cultures
.
Thank You for taking time to wright this
Posted by: Vladimir | January 30, 2011 at 09:21 AM
Lately I have heard Indian people referring to other Indian people as "Natives and Indigenous Americans."
Posted by: Dennis Zotigh | February 03, 2011 at 03:04 PM
I think you are all basically just Americans
Posted by: albert duncan | February 08, 2011 at 12:55 AM
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.
Posted by: Sell A Gun Online | February 21, 2011 at 12:41 PM
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Posted by: Kulwinder Barnala | March 19, 2011 at 03:48 AM
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.
Posted by: Joe Mackey | April 06, 2011 at 03:45 PM
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.
Posted by: William Smith | April 10, 2011 at 01:20 PM
Human Being
Posted by: sptot | April 12, 2011 at 04:26 AM
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.
Posted by: chris | April 19, 2011 at 09:37 AM
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.
Posted by: budosuhi | April 22, 2011 at 05:10 AM
American Indian or Native American?
Really fantastic post...
Keep on Going...
Posted by: Grow Taller 4 Idiots | May 17, 2011 at 03:17 AM
Love this topic. Thanks for posting.
Posted by: David Deangelo | May 18, 2011 at 06:27 PM
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/
Posted by: Geoff Dodd | May 19, 2011 at 03:17 AM
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.
Posted by: pedro | May 22, 2011 at 10:43 PM
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.
Posted by: Account Deleted | May 23, 2011 at 06:06 AM
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Posted by: John | May 23, 2011 at 10:07 AM
I love this article and have shared it with my family. My great grandmother was full-blooded Cherokee. I personally like Native American.
Posted by: Candace Barr | May 25, 2011 at 10:18 AM
It is surely Native North American.
Posted by: Jan | May 28, 2011 at 10:14 PM
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Posted by: | June 01, 2011 at 05:37 AM
great article to highlighted here.
Posted by: | June 01, 2011 at 05:38 AM
it should be Native North American !!!!!
Posted by: Martha Vazquez | June 22, 2011 at 04:26 PM
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.
Posted by: mark202 | July 02, 2011 at 08:30 AM
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
Posted by: Isla Pergola | July 02, 2011 at 04:12 PM
Cool Article... 100% agree
Posted by: Luise | July 04, 2011 at 05:28 PM
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
Posted by: Harold Gutierrez | July 12, 2011 at 11:34 AM
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.
Posted by: Sammy | July 13, 2011 at 04:18 AM
I like the American Natives, they have a very nice culture.
In Mexico there are a lot of Mexican Tribes
Posted by: | July 13, 2011 at 02:32 PM
I like the article.
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Posted by: miko | July 15, 2011 at 08:27 AM
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
Posted by: Dottie Watters | August 10, 2011 at 07:34 AM
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
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Posted by: George Mack | October 12, 2011 at 07:33 PM
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.
Posted by: Desmond Desmarais | December 26, 2011 at 04:57 AM
I appreciate your article.One should not feel inferior regarding his origin as every culture has something to learn from it.
EXCELLENT POST.
benbenez
Posted by: benbenez | January 08, 2012 at 01:51 AM
Dennis has done something worthwhile to try to preserve the history of the past and this is something that is important for the future.
Posted by: toothpaste on pimples | March 11, 2012 at 09:05 AM
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
Posted by: wow character | March 14, 2012 at 09:22 AM
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?
Posted by: dennis zotigh | March 14, 2012 at 10:54 AM
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.
Posted by: michelle | March 31, 2012 at 04:55 PM
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.
Posted by: ozra | May 11, 2012 at 06:04 AM
People from Germany = Germans
People from Italy = Italians
People from Greece = Greeks
People from INDIA = INDIANS
Calling Native Americans "Indians" is just perpetuating an error that Columbus made over 500 years ago. If he had thought that he had reached China, would we now be calling Native Americans "American Chinese?"
Posted by: dirk | June 12, 2012 at 11:02 AM
My great-grandmother was a full-blood Delaware. I was born in Wisconsin.
Am I "native American" because of my place of birth or my genealogy?
The best-known organization that advocates for descendants of indigenous people, the group that shot it out with the FBI at Wounded Knee in 1973, is known as:
THE AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT.
Case closed. "Native American" is just another term invented by white liberals to stroke their sense of moral superiority.
Posted by: Laurent | July 28, 2012 at 08:15 PM
Hi everyone,
I am always in quest for knowledge, and this article enforced the reason; I finally understand the difference between Indian and American indians concept. I would like to subscribe to your newsletters.
Stay blessed!
Posted by: Jeannette Jean | August 21, 2012 at 01:50 PM
i dont know about indian obvious problem of introducing the culture of the nation's struggle indian inspired me to intriduce my own culture in indonesia succesful greeting for you
Posted by: Yandi Supriyatna | November 04, 2012 at 09:50 PM
Dennis has done something worthwhile to try to preserve the history of the past and this is something that is important for the future. Great Post
Posted by: Mike | November 25, 2012 at 06:23 AM
I'm at work, so I don't have time to read all the comments, and apologize if someone has already addressed this. I've always been passing fond of the Canadian designation "First Nations." Sidesteps the whole question of who's native (I'm of Irish and Italian descent, but both my parents and I were born in the USA, so I think I'm entitled to be call myself a native of this land) and also bypasses the "Indian" controversy, while granting historical respect to those whose ancestors were here long before Europeans showed up.
I hope that makes sense--I'm writing rather on the fly here...
Posted by: Rob Berra | June 21, 2013 at 11:51 AM
I think you are all basically just Americans
Don't care to carry the brand that Christopher Columbus gave!
Posted by: Inasub | July 06, 2013 at 08:06 PM
Does it really matter what tribe you belong? it may be native Indian or American Indian. It all boils down to on think that everyone is an American.
Posted by: Rosa Kitt | July 25, 2013 at 09:08 AM
Inasub,
Yes, it does matter what tribe each individual Native belongs to, because that is who we are. An overwhelming majority of Native people would quickly correct you if you assumed or called them by the wrong tribe(s). We are very proud of the tribes affiliations.
Posted by: Dennis Zotigh | July 25, 2013 at 10:22 AM
It is interesting that a good many people believe that Columbus made an error when using the name Indians. People, in that time period, were not known as Indians, (India, Pakistan & Nepal were one.) However; indigenous people south of the U.S. were known as Indios. Therefore, Indians are American. In researching for my novels, I learned this tidbit of info.
Posted by: Carol Koch Billlman | July 25, 2013 at 04:51 PM
Thank you for such an interesting blog. I wrestled with which term to use until I interpreted (sign language) at a conference (all tribes, almost no white) regarding tribal cultures, about 1998. Many speakers there hated the term "native American". So, for years I've tried to use American Indian. Living in Oklahoma most if my life, I've never thought negatively about being "Indian"...in fact, in my family we were quite proud to say we had some tribal bloodlines, although not much by my time. I do think it is more difficult to mention multiple tribes, rather an a single phrase, but I will do my best to be respectful and set a good example for others.
Beth Ward
Posted by: Beth Ward | September 08, 2013 at 07:48 PM
I taught college for many years in Albuquerque New Mexico. During the first day of each class I always asked the students two questions. First, if you are a descendent of the Americans that were here before the Europeans arrived, what would you like to be called? Second, if you are a woman, would you rather be included in the term “guys”, or is there another term? I was somewhat drowned in the flood of political correctness that has happened over the years, and while residing in the Northwest I had been told that the answer to the first question was Native American. I was wrong. All students over the years told me that they used the term Indian, and wanted to be referred to as Indians. Second, the women preferred to be included in the term guys, rather than have a separate equivalent term for women. Alternatively, when a group of people was to be divided by sex, the women preferred the use of the words women and men. I was initially surprised at the answers to both questions... If you are even in doubt, I suggest that you do what I did – ask.
Posted by: William O Wallick | October 13, 2013 at 02:37 PM
Native American is very appropriate because it implies that the Indian tribes there first, before the settlers of old England, etc. European origin. Soil should be held communally theory, 'American original.
Posted by: billy | October 27, 2013 at 04:46 AM
I don't know how about indian however i think know more about Indonesia, because im native Indonesia
Posted by: | November 03, 2013 at 09:11 PM
I think you are all basically just Americans, Thank you for such an interesting blog
Posted by: Agung Barata | February 06, 2014 at 08:05 PM
Very nice article you presented here. !!!
Posted by: Vivek Kaushik | March 14, 2014 at 06:14 AM
I appreciate your article.One should not feel inferior regarding his origin as every culture has something to learn from it.
Great Entry!
Posted by: Ottavio Nuccio | March 22, 2014 at 07:13 AM
I hail from the Caribbean where my indigenous Taino (and Island Carib) people had the misfortune of the First a Encounter in 1492 with Columbus and the a Spanish who named the indigenous Amerindians, "Indio". This differentiated them from their term "Indu" for the "true Indians" of the Asian Subcontinent, as people from India often remind me. The ethnocentric English preferred the word "Indian" then "Red Indian" to differentiate the Caribbean Amerindians to their genetic Asian cousins in Asia.
You may read my researched article titled "Are 'Indians' Indians?" in our Hu'un Magazine at http://powhatanmuseum.com/Magazine.html.
Posted by: Michael Auld | May 28, 2014 at 12:29 PM
It should be a Native North American.
Posted by: Lisa | August 02, 2014 at 03:29 PM
nice post
Posted by: | September 24, 2014 at 09:39 AM
I hail from the Caribbean where my indigenous Taino (and Island Carib) people had the misfortune of the First a Encounter in 1492 with Columbus and the a Spanish who named the indigenous Amerindians, "Indio". This differentiated them from their term "Indu" for the "true Indians" of the Asian Subcontinent, as people from India often remind me. The ethnocentric English preferred the word "Indian" then "Red Indian" to differentiate the Caribbean Amerindians to their genetic Asian cousins in Asia.
You may read my researched article titled "Are 'Indians' Indians?" in our Hu'un Magazine at http://www.hindiquotes.co.in/
Posted by: hiren shuklas | October 03, 2015 at 01:10 AM
Indians are from India and a Native American is a person who was born in America. I considered myself a native because I was born in the United States. If you call someone with lineage dating back to before Columbus what do you refer to people born in the US who don't have that lineage. I took a DNA test and found out that I was nearly a quarter Native American. I thought I was Spanish. I recommend we use a different term such a pre-Columbian American or First American and Original American.
Posted by: Shasta | April 27, 2017 at 02:10 AM
Look, I know that you don't mind being called Indian. But you do realize that there's a group of people on a different continent who are from India, right? I am one of them. I object to a group other than mine being called 'Indian'. This is an incorrect label. People from India are the real Indians? Why should we have to be confused with a completely unrelated ethnic group just because of a mistake the Columbus made? It's just sad and honestly not fair. You know, the funny thing is that people always ask Native Americans, "would you prefer to be called Indian or Native American?" but no one ever bothers to ask us Indians what our opinion is. I don't speak for all Indians, but I still believe that people should ask us our opinion, too; we are entangled in this debate, after all.
So the next time you want to be called 'Indian', please consider the feelings of Indians from India and how we feel being mislabeled. You want me to call you by your tribe name? Sure. But asking to be called an Indian is not only inaccurate, but offensive.
Posted by: Prachi Desai | June 15, 2017 at 05:34 PM