Native Americans

Cultural  

1. The descendants of the original inhabitants of North America and South America before the arrival of white settlers from Europe, also called Indians or American Indians. The term Native American is sometimes preferred over Indian because the latter is a misnomer that originated with Columbus, who mistook the inhabitants of America for the people of India. Both terms, however, are accepted.

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In recent years, Native American activism has taken the form of calls for the protection of their tribal or ancestral shrines and artifacts.

Example Sentences

In the same 50 years, settlers had continued their westward push with the backing of the federal government, displacing Native Americans, and urban centers had begun to industrialize, leading to labor unrest among workers.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

The state’s natural salt “licks” had long been harvested by Native Americans, and by 1888 Michigan produced 40% of U.S.-manufactured salt.

From Barron's • May 2, 2026

He had fanciful notions about Native Americans until he got to know some as people.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Native Americans were initially excluded as well, but Congress later extended birthright citizenship to them under federal law.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

From Bartolome de Las Casas on, Europeans have known that their arrival brought about a catastrophe for Native Americans.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann