A Guide to Indigenous Terminology

There are 574 federally-recognized, 100 state-recognized, and 400 unrecognized Indigenous nations in the United States. Native people are invaluable to the past, present, and future of our country. More than 50 modern-day medications have been developed based on examinations of plant extracts used in traditional Native treatments. In fact, Indigenous people created a pain reliever from willow bark that led to the discovery of aspirin. Indigenous people also invented structural technologies such as canoes, kayaks, and suspension bridges. Nonetheless, Native communities rarely receive the respect and recognition they deserve. Language plays a key role in this issue. 

Though it often comes from well-intentioned people, there has been confusion around how to refer to Native or Indigenous people, and how to talk about their lifestyles and traditions. To commemorate the end of Native American Heritage Month, let’s take a moment to educate ourselves on the proper terminology to use when it comes to discussing and celebrating Native Americans and their cultures. 

The terms “American Indian” and “Native American” are often used interchangeably in the United States, yet they have very different implications. “American Indian” is the most long-standing term used to refer to Indigenous people, but it’s based on a misunderstanding on the part of Christopher Columbus and his team of explorers that, when they first landed in America and encountered the Indigenous people, they were in the subcontinent of India. This term is not one that the Indigenous people created, and it objectively does not represent who they are. Therefore, “American Indian” and “Indian” are generally not considered the proper titles for America’s native people. Some Indigenous people and communities, however, prefer these titles nonetheless. 

The title “Native American” was created in the 1970s as a parallel to terms like Asian American, African American, and Hispanic American. It is widely used to refer to Native people today, though some do not resonate with it because they don’t think of themselves as native to the country’s morals. The titles “Indigenous people” and “Native people” are thought of as contemporary equivalents to “Native American,” and are widely accepted as they effectively acknowledge Native Americans as the first people to reside in this country. The words “indigenous” and “native” should always be capitalized as part of these terms. 

If it seems like there’s no clear answer as to how to refer to Indigenous people, it’s because there’s not. Not all Native people have the same preferences or use the same terminology, which is why it’s incredibly important to ask an Indigenous individual or group what they would like to be called if you have the chance. When referring to a specific Indigenous person, it’s always best to use the name of their nation, if you know it. For example, “she is Inuit” instead of “she is Native American.” This specificity allows you to acknowledge diversity and nuances across Indigenous communities. 

Additionally, note my use of the word “nation” instead of “tribe.” “Nation” demonstrates respect for the fact that Native people have their own systems of government, which were instated long before European intervention. The term “tribe,” on the other hand, has been casually thrown into common phrases and made to seem less significant in recent years. Indigenous nations typically have multiple names because Europeans inaccurately pronounced their original names or renamed them completely. If you’ve heard multiple names for a given nation and you’re unsure of which one to use, look the nation up online and use the name they use for themselves. Lastly, it’s important to remember that Indigenous nations are independent from the regions they reside in. The Native nations that share geography with Minnesota would not be considered Minnesota’s Native nations.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about the proper language to use when discussing Indigenous communities and cultures. Generally, it’s considered correct to refer to these individuals as “Indigenous people,” “Native people,” and “Native Americans,” as I’ve done in this article, but keep in mind the tips I’ve shared depending on the situation. Conversations around Indigenous people and their incredible contributions, past and present, should continue to be had and uplifted—and it all starts with equipping ourselves with the correct language.