Indigenous Identity: What Is It and Who Really Has It?

摘要: Indigenous identity is a truly complex and somewhat controversial topic. There little agreement on precisely what constitutes an indigenous identity, how to measure it, who has it. Indeed, there not even consensus appropriate terms. Are we talking about Indians, American Natives, Native Americans, people, or First Nations people? Sioux Lakota? Navajo Dine? Chippewa, Ojibway, Anishnabe? Once get that sorted out, are race, ethnicity, cultural tribal acculturation, enculturation, bicultural multicultural some other form of identity? The topic opens Pandora's box possibilities, try address them all would mean doing justice none. This article provides background information three facets identity-self-identification, community identification, external identification-followed by brief overview measurement issues my reflections internalized oppression /colonization related identity. terms used interchangeably refer the descendants original inhabitants North America. These not, per se, "right" only could have been used. They reflect preferences. Cultural as reflected in values, beliefs, worldviews focus article. Those belong same culture share broadly similar conceptual map way interpreting language.' People can identify themselves many ways than their cultures.2 In fact, may actually be composite things such class, education, region, religion, gender.3 influence these aspects someone person likely change over time. Identities always fragmented, multiply constructed, intersected constantly changing, sometimes conflicting array.4 Although reality various inextricably linked, for purposes this essay I will facet