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English

Native American (plural Native Americans)

A member of any of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas.
- For quotations using this term, see Citations:Native American.
In particular, a member of any of the Indigenous peoples of North America, or sometimes in particular the United States.
- 1998, Philip Green, Robert Benewick (editors), The Routledge Dictionary of Twentieth-century Political Thinkers, page 43:
  One of Chomsky's most recent books, Year 501: the Conquest Continues (1993), offers a panoramic view of what he sees as five hundred years of US terror and oppression, beginning with the treatment of the Native Americans and continuing through the Gulf War.
(dated) Alternative letter-case form of native American

Native American is often used in place of American Indian, although some people insist on being called American Indians, and the latter is not usually considered offensive. In some cases, offense can be avoided by referring to Indians from Canada as First Nations people, Native Canadians, or Aboriginal peoples of Canada.
The third definition can cause confusion, especially when capitalized, and the phrase Native-born American is preferred in ambiguous contexts. This definition was used by anti-Catholic and anti-immigrant political factions in the 1850s; they called themselves the "Native American Party" before settling on the names "Americans" and "Know-Nothings".
In the U.S., many now prefer the designation Native American instead of Indian for the first inhabitants of the Western Hemisphere, although usage may vary according to tribe and region. In Canada and Alaska in particular, American Indian is still preferred as marking a useful distinction from Eskimos.
According to the National Museum of the American Indian, American Indian, Indian, Native American, Indigenous, or Native are commonly acceptable terms. However, Native people often prefer to be called by their specific tribal name.

person — see also Indian

Native American (comparative more Native American, superlative most Native American)

of the American Indians — see Indian