Yes, especially in contexts where it is obvious it is not being used as a pejorative. Obviously if you’re speaking about an individual American Indian, use whatever term they prefer (probably the name of their tribe, #notamonolith), but a significant portion prefer Indian to any other alternative. For example, the largest indigenous civil rights organization is the American Indian Movement (AIM). Activists like Sherman Alexie, Russel Means, and Winona LaDuke prefer Indian. The homophone NDN also has currency, for example the NDN Collective.
“Native Americans” is seen as ‘politically correct’ and used by some, and is the term used in modern U.S. goverment documents; but it has assimilationist connotations, similar to the dichotomy between “African-Americans” vs “Black people.”
Is “Indian” still acceptable in the U.S?
Yes, especially in contexts where it is obvious it is not being used as a pejorative. Obviously if you’re speaking about an individual American Indian, use whatever term they prefer (probably the name of their tribe, #notamonolith), but a significant portion prefer Indian to any other alternative. For example, the largest indigenous civil rights organization is the American Indian Movement (AIM). Activists like Sherman Alexie, Russel Means, and Winona LaDuke prefer Indian. The homophone NDN also has currency, for example the NDN Collective.
“Native Americans” is seen as ‘politically correct’ and used by some, and is the term used in modern U.S. goverment documents; but it has assimilationist connotations, similar to the dichotomy between “African-Americans” vs “Black people.”
Okay, thanks!
It’s somewhat confusion since here in Canada, First Nations is more broadly used. Also, since Indians from India exist.