Editorials & Other Articles

Igel

(37,180 posts)

5. I've found that context is important.

Mon Oct 20, 2025, 07:32 PM

Oct 20

When the Indian Gaming Initiative was up and going in CA, the supporters and advocates had no trouble adopting "Indian" and pretty much never "Native American" (and certainly not "Indigenous American" or whatever). "Indian" tropes were also commonplace.

Why?

Because it alienated people that might feel sorry but weren't necessarily progressive. It wasn't antagonistic. It let people think warm fuzzy thoughts about John Wayne westerns and the Lone Ranger and Ke-mo sah-bee. It was asking, please; not demanding reparations.

I suspect that "Indian" is better for persuading those who might not be prone to agree to just "get to yes" while "Native American" is more used by those who want to feel good about arguing.

Just a completely anecdotal hunch based in a limited subset of remembered, observed examples, with all the biases and gaps inherent in that 'data set'.

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Bernardo de La Paz

7 replies

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Highlight:

Protecting a Lie: Pete Hegseth's Massacre at Wounded Knee [View all] Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Oct 20 OP

It's "Indigenous" or "First Nations". They get to call themselves "Indians" if they want and sometimes do. Bernardo de La Paz Oct 20 #1

Name wise, I don't think there is any agreement amongst Indigenous Americans. Ilikepurple Oct 20 #4

Good observations. . . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Oct 20 #6

I've found that context is important. Igel Oct 20 #5

Likewise, good observations. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Oct 20 #7

Wounded Knee was no more a battle than My Lai. Ocelot II Oct 20 #2

K&R 2naSalit Oct 20 #3