Indigenous People Answer Commonly Googled Questions About Native Americans

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MUSIC
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Licensed via Audio Network

STILLS
Portrait of Pocahontas
mikroman6/Getty Images
A Native American Grandmother (Navajo) in Her Sixties Teaches Her Teenaged Granddaughters How to Weave at a Loom Indoors in a Hogan (Navajo Hut)
Hoptocopter/Getty Images
Montcalm stop the Native Americans at the Fort William Henry
ZU_09/Getty Images
Antique historical photographs from the US Navy and Army: Osage Indians
ilbusca/Getty Images
Christopher Columbus Monument, Barcelona
hutchyb/Getty Images
Columbus presenting indigenous peoples with gifts

VIDEO
Overhead Shot of a Native American Woman's Hand Using a Fork to Remove a Tortilla (Fry Bread) from a Pan with Oil on a Stovetop
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A Native American (Navajo) Woman Scoops Bean on to a Tortilla (Fry Bread) while Her Family Members of Various Ages Talk, Eat, and Laugh Together inside a Wooden Hogan (Navajo Hut)
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Clueless Fisheye Nerdy Woman
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I don't understand what you're saying
Rowan Jordan/Getty Images
Remembrance Of Independence At Thanksgiving
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SLO MO Thanksgiving turkey on a nicely set table
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The old kind of map with the location of Bengala
NordicMoonlight/Getty Images

[someraccoonwithinternetacc]

I’m Native American myself and I’ve had people call me a foreigner for some odd reason, but in reality my ancestors were here before them.

[dewycocoa]

Ppl also think Indigenous Americans only exist in the US, we exist all over the Americas as well.

[siddhartha]

As an "Indian" from "India" I'd like to clarify that the word "India" is not native to our land. Our civilizational identity is better captured by the word "Bharat". I have visited reservations in the New Mexico area and have fond memories. Much love and respect to Native American people and their culture

[Heldin]

I am in Australia atm and it’s shocking how similar the history of the indigenous people is here to what’s happened in the US. But no one talks about the native Australian people. (Aboriginals). Please inform yourself, it’s important and tragic.

[Saiphers]

I agree with the woman in red. I came to America as an Asian immigrant and learned what Thanksgiving is but my family only celebrates it based on being thankful for our family and friends but never what Native Americans mourn for.

[Youmeanbeauty]

It’s crazy how much healing this country needs 😔

[Yaarru]

As an Aboriginal Australian from Worimi tribe I can relate so much to what you are all saying. Across the world Indigenous people have suffered greatly at the hands of colonisation and the trauma is real across the world. Respect to you brothers and sisters

[josephmoreno]

Hey y’all don’t forget to be proud of your heritage, whether youre african, asian, european, native american, or whatever you may be, its good to be you and theres nothing that you could do to control the heritage you came from so just be proud! Everybody has contributed SOMETHING, no matter how small, the the growth of humanity through the years and we should be proud of that.

[kiab.]

As an Indian, i just can't help but notice that everytime I google something (for example for a festival like Diwali or holi or i just google 'indian paintings') there is always something native american in there(not that that is a bad thing). Idk, but I think it would be nice for both sides if the world would respect the terms and the difference between those two completely different cultures.

[taehyungoppa]

Im glad more native Americans are being more represented and seen on the media ✨✨

[ruhhbiinc]

I am Latino and consider myself indigenous. I am proud of my culture and roots. And I consider native Americans as our northern cousins.

[ASMRconKiki]

Could someone recommend books written by native American individuals? Any studying material, poetry, novel, historical account belonging to specific tribes?

[rosalocalinda]

It's a horrible shame that the history of our country is so mysterious. We should know the culture and history of our lands. Native american stories should be part of our nation's history but we erased that so thoroughly. I value our native brothers and sisters and always want to hear more from them

[lenkachladkova]

It’s crazy that my Slovak high school’s curriculum covers Native American history and literature, yet from the comments it seems that American ones don’t? Could someone please explain how it is?

[Jakethefliest]

I am an Enrolled Native American of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. It makes me happy to see other Native Americans speaking out and defending the history and culture of our Native Ancestors. My father is 100% Cherokee. We are losing our language. My family is one of the very few that are fluent Cherokee speakers. Cultures are being taken. I hope that us as Native Americans continue to stand together.

[arnoldrunningrabbit]

I am a descendant of survivors. I carry the name of my paternal great great grandfather, he was The War Chief and 'touched' the pen at the signing of Treaty 7, my maternal great great grandfather was 7 years old in 1877 and was known for carrying on our traditions. I carry their heart that still beats strong within me.

[concertpunk]

Makes me proud to be Native / first Nations in Canada

[jynxx]

There are no words to describe how horrible and disgusting it is that we STILL teach children in school that Christopher Columbus was a hero.

[thetrintarianmessianicyahw]

The Church needs to Apologize for their Role in Colonisation and Take action in the Best interest of the Indigenous people. The Church needs to Help the Native People as much as they Can before it's too late.

[DesertThunderDownUnder]

As an Aboriginal woman watching this from Brisbane, Australia in October 2023 — I am very proud of each of you. Stay grounded in your culture and thank you for sharing.👏🏽🙌🏽👍🏽✊🏽