Learning Respect
OFFENSIVE WORDS
Words that should never be used
Sometimes words have more than one meaning. A word itself, out of the context in which it is used, may or may not be offensive. For example the word 'boy', by itself, is a harmless word. But in the context of racial bigotry toward black men, the word 'boy' takes on a whole new meaning, and becomes a racial slur. So words like 'chief', 'brave', and 'savage' are not, in and of themselves, offensive; but their use in the context of racially stereotypical labels of Native people is. Other words, like the 'N' word, the 'R' word and 'squaw' are inherently bigoted in any context. We hope this helps those who seek clarification have a clearer understanding of why words, and the way they are used, matter.
Squaw
This is a word that has been used to refer to First Nations women. Used as a name for many parks, valleys, mountains etc. The term 'squaw' is very offensive to American Indian women. The term is a French corruption of a Native word that makes an indirect reference to female genitalia, and was used by non-Native men as a very derogatory insult to Indigenous women. Native American women should be called women - not 'squaws'.
Red***n
Still used as a name for many sports teams, this word is offensive by its very nature. Webster's Dictionary defines the term as a racial slur. In it's origin, it refers to the bloody scalps of Native children, women and men that were sold for bounties aside animal skins in the USA. At this sad time in American history, American Indian people, young and old, male and female, were hunted like animals for bounties. They were killed, then scalped. When these bounty hunters would come to the trading post, they would receive payment for their deer-skins, their, beaver-skins, their raccoon-skins, and their red-skins. It is a true shame that this horrifying word is still in wide use.
Brave
This is a word that has been used to refer to First Nations men. Used in thousands of books, and as a name for many sports teams, people are often surprised to find that it is a derogatory term. Here's why: It plays on the 'noble courageous savage' stereotype that was pinned on Indigenous men long ago by early Europeans. Unfortunately, those stereotypes still exist today. It also dehumanizes and equates the Native American male to something less than a man. Comparative example: calling an African American man 'boy'.
Chief
This is a word that is commonly given as a nickname which incorrectly labels Native American men. The term 'chief' itself is incorrect. American Indian leaders were never 'chiefs', but headmen, or clan mothers, and so on. Not 'chiefs'. Native leaders were highly disrespected by the USA. So calling someone 'Chief', is just a way to continue that disrespect. Being called 'chief' carries with it the same insulting, belittling sting for a Native man as being called 'boy' does for African American men.
Tonto
Very simply put, this word is from the Spanish language, and translated means 'stupid', 'idiot' or 'fool'. Enough said.
Savage
This one shouldn't need a whole lot of explaining. Native people are not beasts, and never were. But First Nations people were considered to be 'uncivilized' by European invaders merely because those societies were new to them. This 'new world' was and is, very old to the First Nations peoples. Did you know the U.S. Declaration of Independence refers to Indigenous people as "merciless Indian Savages"? These bigoted words go way back, and are rooted in racism.
'Wild Indians'
Ever heard somebody say, "Stop acting like a bunch of wild Indians"? This comes from a long held American stereotype that American Indian people were and are 'wild' (e.g. 'merciless Indian Savages'). The simple fact is, anything that people of European, western culture could not tame, enslave or subdue was considered 'wild'. Consider the words 'wilderness' and 'wildlife'. So, the next time the kids are acting up, be sure to avoid referring to them as 'wild Indians'!
'Indian Style'
This one isn't gonna make anyone too upset, but teachers sometimes use this term when telling their young students to sit cross legged. Native people did not invent the cross legged sitting style, so the next time you tell your students to sit cross legged, just say "criss-cross applesauce"! This may seem like splitting hairs, but it's the little things that make a huge difference in this world. And just to be clear, although some may argue that this term hails from India (and it may!), we can assure you that when it is used in America, kids and teachers here are thinking "Indians!"
Words that should never be used
Sometimes words have more than one meaning. A word itself, out of the context in which it is used, may or may not be offensive. For example the word 'boy', by itself, is a harmless word. But in the context of racial bigotry toward black men, the word 'boy' takes on a whole new meaning, and becomes a racial slur. So words like 'chief', 'brave', and 'savage' are not, in and of themselves, offensive; but their use in the context of racially stereotypical labels of Native people is. Other words, like the 'N' word, the 'R' word and 'squaw' are inherently bigoted in any context. We hope this helps those who seek clarification have a clearer understanding of why words, and the way they are used, matter.
Squaw
This is a word that has been used to refer to First Nations women. Used as a name for many parks, valleys, mountains etc. The term 'squaw' is very offensive to American Indian women. The term is a French corruption of a Native word that makes an indirect reference to female genitalia, and was used by non-Native men as a very derogatory insult to Indigenous women. Native American women should be called women - not 'squaws'.
Red***n
Still used as a name for many sports teams, this word is offensive by its very nature. Webster's Dictionary defines the term as a racial slur. In it's origin, it refers to the bloody scalps of Native children, women and men that were sold for bounties aside animal skins in the USA. At this sad time in American history, American Indian people, young and old, male and female, were hunted like animals for bounties. They were killed, then scalped. When these bounty hunters would come to the trading post, they would receive payment for their deer-skins, their, beaver-skins, their raccoon-skins, and their red-skins. It is a true shame that this horrifying word is still in wide use.
Brave
This is a word that has been used to refer to First Nations men. Used in thousands of books, and as a name for many sports teams, people are often surprised to find that it is a derogatory term. Here's why: It plays on the 'noble courageous savage' stereotype that was pinned on Indigenous men long ago by early Europeans. Unfortunately, those stereotypes still exist today. It also dehumanizes and equates the Native American male to something less than a man. Comparative example: calling an African American man 'boy'.
Chief
This is a word that is commonly given as a nickname which incorrectly labels Native American men. The term 'chief' itself is incorrect. American Indian leaders were never 'chiefs', but headmen, or clan mothers, and so on. Not 'chiefs'. Native leaders were highly disrespected by the USA. So calling someone 'Chief', is just a way to continue that disrespect. Being called 'chief' carries with it the same insulting, belittling sting for a Native man as being called 'boy' does for African American men.
Tonto
Very simply put, this word is from the Spanish language, and translated means 'stupid', 'idiot' or 'fool'. Enough said.
Savage
This one shouldn't need a whole lot of explaining. Native people are not beasts, and never were. But First Nations people were considered to be 'uncivilized' by European invaders merely because those societies were new to them. This 'new world' was and is, very old to the First Nations peoples. Did you know the U.S. Declaration of Independence refers to Indigenous people as "merciless Indian Savages"? These bigoted words go way back, and are rooted in racism.
'Wild Indians'
Ever heard somebody say, "Stop acting like a bunch of wild Indians"? This comes from a long held American stereotype that American Indian people were and are 'wild' (e.g. 'merciless Indian Savages'). The simple fact is, anything that people of European, western culture could not tame, enslave or subdue was considered 'wild'. Consider the words 'wilderness' and 'wildlife'. So, the next time the kids are acting up, be sure to avoid referring to them as 'wild Indians'!
'Indian Style'
This one isn't gonna make anyone too upset, but teachers sometimes use this term when telling their young students to sit cross legged. Native people did not invent the cross legged sitting style, so the next time you tell your students to sit cross legged, just say "criss-cross applesauce"! This may seem like splitting hairs, but it's the little things that make a huge difference in this world. And just to be clear, although some may argue that this term hails from India (and it may!), we can assure you that when it is used in America, kids and teachers here are thinking "Indians!"
ETIQUETTE
Pointers to help well-meaning folks avoid being unknowingly impolite to American Indian people
Don't ask a Native person if they get money from the casino....
Don't bother telling the story about the arrowhead....
Don't ask "did you make your: (insert item here)"....
Avoid the 'who looks more Indian' stuff....
Don't touch or pick up personal belongings without asking....
Use the word 'Nation' instead of 'tribe'....
Refer to Native traditional clothing as regalia, not a 'costume'....
Avoid the 'how much Indian are you' questions....
Don't ask if a Native person is 'full-blood' or 'pure-Indian'....
Don't ask "Are you a real Indian"....
Don't ask 'can I touch you?'....
Don't ask if you can touch a Native person's hair or body....
Avoid interrupting, especially with Elders....
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All in all, be as respectful and courteous as you would with any other ethnic group and you'll avoid being unknowingly disrespectful to Indigenous people.
(A good test is to apply the above scenarios to another ethnic group to get an understanding of just how offensive they can be)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(All of the above scenarios are based on actual experiences from real Native people.)
Photo above by Jason Salgado - Tongva
Pointers to help well-meaning folks avoid being unknowingly impolite to American Indian people
Don't ask a Native person if they get money from the casino....
Don't bother telling the story about the arrowhead....
Don't ask "did you make your: (insert item here)"....
Avoid the 'who looks more Indian' stuff....
Don't touch or pick up personal belongings without asking....
Use the word 'Nation' instead of 'tribe'....
Refer to Native traditional clothing as regalia, not a 'costume'....
Avoid the 'how much Indian are you' questions....
Don't ask if a Native person is 'full-blood' or 'pure-Indian'....
Don't ask "Are you a real Indian"....
Don't ask 'can I touch you?'....
Don't ask if you can touch a Native person's hair or body....
Avoid interrupting, especially with Elders....
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All in all, be as respectful and courteous as you would with any other ethnic group and you'll avoid being unknowingly disrespectful to Indigenous people.
(A good test is to apply the above scenarios to another ethnic group to get an understanding of just how offensive they can be)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(All of the above scenarios are based on actual experiences from real Native people.)
Photo above by Jason Salgado - Tongva
Native Circle
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