Just Bein Nosy

[YosemiteBen]

I must first apologize to any PA folks I may have offended in my quest for knowledge. There have been several contributors here and on the knapping pages who's user names implied, at least to me that they may be of NDN descent. When I inquired of them I did not see another post from them. So, to those persons and the rest of you fine folks here on PA I do sincerely apologize.  If you are of NDN descent I would really like to hear from you. I work in the National Park Service and there is one fellow that maintains an NDN mailing list and I occassionally get job announcements from him and I do hear of other opportunities for NDN people that I am always willing to share. As for the rest of the PA Community - If you ever get to Yosemite look me up and I will find time to make gravel with you or if I can finagle the time I will be happy to show you around my office.  I am Mountain Maidu and Turtle Mountain Ojibwa and I have worked hard to learn and teach the "primitive" skills we all hold so deer to our hearts (and back straps). Thank you all for your support and willingness to share your knowledge and mistakes so that we might all learn from each other.
He O!
Yo Ben

[Sparrow]

 Hey Ben   Both of my grandmothers were Cherokee.You look at me,you just see another mongrel American. You've never offended me(Nor has anyone else)  Don't know what your talking about.     '  Frank

[Rick Wallace]

From another Cherokee,you never offended me either!   

[GregB]

I had a couple of uncles on my mothers side that looked full cherokee, and knew our family had cherokee in our history. If anything, I've been entertained by your wit and sense of humor!

[Dictionary]

Why do you keep typing it as  NDN? you're talking about native americans right?

[Stringman]

Say NDN fast three time, then tell me what it sounds like. 

[Rick Wallace]

Why do you keep typing it as  NDN? you're talking about native americans right?

Its just a fast way of typing,abbreviation if you will,,

[Rick Wallace]

I had a couple of uncles on my mothers side that looked full Cherokee, and knew our family had Cherokee in our history. If anything, I've been entertained by your wit and sense of humor!

  Looks have absolutely nothing to do with anything,What does a Cherokee look like? What does a Creek,Choctaw,White man look like?  Its blood lines that determine what you are. Just sayin,,,

[Traxx]

Its just a fast way of typing,abbreviation if you will,,

Not exactly.Its also a native way of identifying a difference,from Indian.No NDN people i know,preferr Native American and its never used on any rez,i ever lived on.NDN,is pronounced N-Dn.

[Pat B]

So is NDN the politically correct way of describing America's pre Columbian native people? If so, I'll start using that instead of Native American.

[Traxx]

I dont know about Politically correct,but it is the term used by Native people in the USA.Now,dont use that Term in Canada.They Dont care for it much,they preferr Native,First Nation,or indigenous.Native American,is not offensive,per say.It is tollerated,its just not used in Native circles.

[Pat B]

Maybe I should have said is it preferred by native folks?  I have used Native Americans in th past but would rather call folks what they would prefer to be called.
  When I was growing up in the South, black folks were called either Negros or African Americans. Now I think they prefer to be called Black so that is what I call them.

[YosemiteBen]

Ok - having presented this topic and answered a myraid of questions on this topic let me expound on this train of thought.

Native American - Used to refer to the original inhabitants of the "new World"  after it became known as America named after Amerigo Vespucci, (another portugese fellow). Today refers to anyone born in the country since its naming.

American Indian - the term currently in use by the Federal Government in all of its dealings with Indian people.  Google American Indian Liasion office.

Native American Indian - a combination of the first two terms to describe the original inhabitants of the current (primarily North America) American continents.

North American Aborigine - coined by modern anthropologists to describe the original peoples of nort america.

First Nations - term used in Canada to describe the original inhabitants of their lands.

You may hear all of these terms plus, Indin, NDN or hey you!

Tribal names work if you know for sure who you are talking too, as for me Ben works just fine just don't call me late for dinner!

[Baldmoose]

I dont know about Politically correct,but it is the term used by Native people in the USA.Now,dont use that Term in Canada.They Dont care for it much,they preferr Native,First Nation,or indigenous.Native American,is not offensive,per say.It is tollerated,its just not used in Native circles.

I am from Canada, I am ojibwa.    Our politically correct term is "Aboriginal"
However i do find NDN to be a little offensive. Maybe its just because i have never heard that before.  Just my thoughts.
I dont think i would really be offended by NDN, just need to get used to it is all.
 

[Rick Wallace]

The only thing that offends me,When I tell someone im a Cherokee,The first thing they want to know is how much money you get for that,or do you have a casino!  Some people,,,History should be taught much more better. (english to i guess!)  Well said Ben!!