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

Over the years, as some historians soured on Columbus’s treatment of Native Americans and the impact of colonization that followed his discovery, the city began removing his many tributes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 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

But for Native Americans, that is not at all the goal.

From Slate • Mar. 16, 2026

The modern United States is a European-molded society, occupying lands conquered from Native Americans and incorporating the descendants of millions of sub-Saharan black Africans brought to America as slaves.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond