"The one thing I've always maintained is that I'm an American Indian. I'm not politically correct. Everyone who's born in the Western Hemisphere is a Native American. We are all Native Americans." Russell Means.

David T. Beito - 8/7/2006

It is a bit like black and African-American. Most people seem to slip into using both, even if they claim that they prefer one.

Otto M. Kerner - 8/6/2006

I no longer think much of Russell Means -- I've heard him say some pretty crazy things -- but he's right about this one. Expressions such as "Native XYZans" are awkward and should be avoided if possible, because, as Means says, we are all native Americans (those of us who were born in America, that is). There's nothing wrong with saying "Indian" or, for clarity, "American Indian".

S J - 8/6/2006

I was having a conversation about this topic with a former anthropology instructor of mine (who happens to be an American Indian herself). My school was starting a new program and she was trying to decide if it should be called a "Native American" or "American Indian" Studies Program. I told her that while I see a shifting trend towards Native peoples themselves using the term, "American Indian" non-Native people tend to shy away from the use of the word, "Indian" in an effort to be politically correct. I've been called out in the museum-world a couple of times by non-Native people for using the term, "American Indian", yet the Smithsonian uses the term in the title of one of their museums. I think either term is an attempt at being respectful, so I tend to use them interchangeably. I think the real lesson here is that you will never be able to truly please everyone, you can just do your best to be respectful and if you are corrected, just roll with it.