What To Call Us?
"American Indian" or "Native American"
Many people are unsure how to refer to the original inhabitants of North American "American Indian" versus "Native American". Some prefer American Indian as it identifies them as Americans and Indian people. Some prefer Native American because it describes their “original” status in this land, but many feel this comes from higher education through Native American Studies. Still others use Indigenous, aboriginal. Most preferably is to simply use the name of the Tribe they identify with. A good way of not stepping on too many toes is ask people you are working with how they prefer to be described and use the terms they give you. If people within a group do not agree on a preference, try to use the one most often used within the group. The term Indian by itself is used only in informal situations.
Me, I am Karuk áraaraha upriver person from the villages of Katimeen and also from Butlers Flat