Title: Native American vs. American Indian: Which Is Preferred?
Headings: ‘Native American’ or ‘American Indian’? How to Talk About Indigenous People of America
‘Native American’ or ‘American Indian’? How to Talk About Indigenous People of America
Where these terms originated
Which should you use?
What about ‘Alaska Native’?
Can I just say ‘Indigenous’?
What about tribe names?
How to talk about it
If someone corrects you
Terms to avoid
The bottom line

Content: Can I just say ‘Indigenous’? “Indigenous” means the original inhabitants of a given land or region. “Indigenous peoples of America” has the same general meaning as “Native Americans,” and many people prefer this term’s inclusivity. The term “Indigenous” makes it clear that they occupied the land first, without assigning the American nationality. More and more people chose to refer to themselves as Indigenous people, and this is also acceptable. But again, it’s another broad term. When used generally, it can refer to any original inhabitants of a country, not just the United States. A few things to remember when using this term: Avoid using it as a noun: for example, “the Indigenous.”