American Indians, Native Americans
Both are acceptable terms in general references for those in the U.S. when referring to two or
more people of different tribal affiliations. For individuals, use the name of the tribe; if that
information is not immediately available, try to obtain it. He is a Navajo commissioner. She is a member of the Nisqually Indian Tribe. He is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. Some tribes and tribal nations use member; others use citizen. If in doubt, use citizen. In Alaska, the Indigenous groups are collectively known as Alaska Natives. First Nation is the preferred term for native tribes in Canada.
Indian is used to describe the peoples and cultures of the South Asian nation of India. Do not
use the term as a shorthand for American Indians.