Posts: Vocabulary to introduce NS12

2/3/2019 4:06 PM by sylvia.paul

Vocabulary
to
accompany Indian Stereotypes activities

 

 
 
stereotype
– a exaggerated and/or over-simplified representation (in images, mental
images, words) of the characteristics of a category of people or things,
in this case the "first people" of the Americas
native
– " 1a. One born in or
connected with a place by birth: a
native of Scotland now living in the United States. b. One of the original inhabitants
or lifelong residents of a place." 
American Heritage Dictionary
of the English Language.
indigenous
– originating or occurring naturally in a place or environment – some
writers/scholars use Indigenous Peoples in place of Indians
aboriginal
– first or earliest known of its kind in a region, having existed in a
region from the beginning
Indian vs. Native American -
 

"The terms 'American Indian' and
'Indian' are labels that originated at the time of Columbus. He thought he had
discovered the Indies so he labeled the peoples he found Indians. 'Native
Americans,' …grew out of the civil rights protests of the 1960s-70s. Today,
anyone born in this country tends to label themselves as native, therefore the
term has lost significance in identifying the Indigenous Peoples of this
hemisphere."  (Carol Cornelius, Iroquois Corn, xiii)

 

Native
peoples have specific tribal/band names: Passamaquoddy,
Penobscot, Mi'kmaq (Micmac), Maliseet, Abenaki – when talking in the plural,
add an "s" (e.g. the Penobscots).

 
generic
– applying to any member of a group
dehumanize
– " 1. to take away somebody’s individuality, the creative
and interesting aspects of his or her personality, or his or her
compassion and sensitivity toward others." Microsoft Word/Encarta World English Dictionary.  Also, to portray in a dehumanizing
fashion (as in a picture, play, TV ad).
economy
– the production, distribution and use of the goods and services of a
community as a whole – a good economy benefits the community members –
trade is one aspect of a community's economy
naïve
– lacking experience or understanding, unsophisticated, extremely simple
or trusting, childlike
culture
– "1. art, music, literature, and related intellectual activities…3.
the beliefs, customs, practices, and social behavior of a particular
nation or people. 4. a group of people whose shared beliefs and practices
identify the particular place, class, or time to which they belong." Microsoft Word/Encarta World English
Dictionary
chief
– "the person with the most authority or highest rank in a group or
organization, who ultimately controls or commands all the others." Microsoft Word/Encarta World English
Dictionary – from Middle English, this is a European title not used by
Indians.
squaw – North
American Indian wife, from Narragansett squaws (also used as a feminine suffix in other languages) -
Like the terms "Indian Princess,"  "Chief," and "Indian
Brave," the word "Squaw" carries a significant negative
connotation as used by many Non-Natives today. It is best to use the words
Woman and Girl.
brave
– "a Native American Indian warrior" according to Microsoft
Word's dictionary. What Nation? Were all non-Chief males warriors?  Of course not. The term reinforces the
"savage savage" stereotype. Use "boys" and "young
men" and "men".
princess
– Indians did not have kings, queens, princesses, etc. This term suggests
that young girls and women are seductive. Use "girls" and
"women."
sachem / sacham / sachom/Sakom
- title used for the leader of some

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