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 1959, he had sported a mohawk to honor Native Americans.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

Charles and Camilla were later paying their respects to fallen US troops at Arlington National Cemetery just outside Washington, before meeting with Native Americans at a national park.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

“Yellowstone” also introduced a conversation about the complexities of land ownership, commercial development, environmental concerns and the history of our nation, particularly with respect to Native Americans.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

The sole Native Americans able to resist European conquest for many centuries were those tribes that reduced the military disparity by acquiring and mastering both horses and guns.

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