"I would venture to guess American Indian tribes are one the most misunderstood of all ethnic groups. A simple example might be what we are called. A light bulb goes off in someone's head, and boom: We've changed from Indians to Native Americans. Another thought and we are American Indians with Native thrown in some place. It isn't quite that simple, but our name has been on a roller coaster for many years.

Why the name change? I'm not sure. When I talked with a group at the International Peace Garden several years ago, a man from India asked me in a harsh and pointed way why we called ourselves American Indians. We are American Indians, he said. He had the whole situation turned around."

Get the Story:
DORREEN YELLOW BIRD COLUMN: Come explore American Indian culture at powwow (The Grand Forks Herald 3/30)

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