What Do You Name an Indian?

In the articles and interviews by Messrs. Means, Welsch, Hill, and Giago we learn about the different perspectives that these Americans have regarding the terms “Native American” and “Indian” with respect to their individual heritages.  Generally speaking, the term “Native American” is roundly criticized by these men as being too much of a pejorative, and if pressed would prefer the term “Indian”.  But underlying the discussion about identity in these articles is a question about indigeneity.  How shall todays descendants of the European and immigrant peoples that overtook this land refer to the indigenous population?  And how does this vast array of indigenous peoples see themselves in name, and actually prefer to be identified?  Is it even possible to ascribe a name to (nomen) an indigenous people, especially one with cultures so ancient and varied?

In my experience with the Suquamish Tribe the people identify with their Suquamish namesake and Lushootseed language.  If at all, they prefer to use the term “Indian” amongst themselves only and aren’t generally keen on being labeled by outsiders as “Indians”.  I’ve found that reaching out to individuals and learning their names has had a positive impact in more ways than overcoming this minor cultural barrier.  What about you, have you ever introduced yourself to a member of a Tribe?  In the company of lots of elders and under the roof of their own longhouse it can be the start of a memorable friendship, that I do know.

Referring back to the articles and interviews, Mr. Means is a real firebrand and instead of being overly concerned with terminology, he seems intent on steering the interviewer toward broader issues regarding indigenous peoples of government intrusion and cultural appropriation.  Mr. Means clearly hopes to help foster a newer generation of people that see beyond ethnic and socioeconomic traits of people in an effort to overcome conversations like the one in which he is engaged.  And Mr. Welsch gets at the heart of the feedback I hear from my Suquamish friends, which is that as an outsider I don’t have any business going around labeling people, describing the so-called es-ex factor.  Mr. Hill succinctly explains why the term “Native American” is rejected by all of the personalities, pointing out that the indigenous peoples of Canada are not referred to as “Native Americans”.  And even Mr. Giaga was conflicted over the naming of his own interest group, The American Indian Journalist Association. 

It seems clear to me that all of these individuals are less concerned with how one identifies them ethnically than how well people generally treat one another.  Does anyone else get a sense of irritation or pushback from some of these men that were interviewed?  And I wonder, what would women think of these opinions that were solicited of their male counterparts?  Sitting here on my desk is The Rights of Indian Tribes by Stephen L. Pevar and on the first page he commits to using the term Indian throughout his seminal book on Indian Law.  He footnotes that “considerable thought” was given to using either Native American or Indian, and chose Indian because of its prevalence in society and government.  That sounds to me as like a similar concession that comes across in the articles and interviews that are being discussed.