Originally Posted by
cadaverdog
Application of the term "Indian" originated with Christopher Columbus, who, in his search for Asia, thought that he had arrived in the East Indies. The Americas came to be known as the "West Indies", a name still used to refer to the islands of the Caribbean sea. This led to the names "Indies" and "Indian", which implied some kind of racial or cultural unity among the aboriginal peoples of the Americas. This unifying concept, codified in law, religion, and politics, was not originally accepted by indigenous peoples but has been embraced by many over the last two centuries. Even though the term "Indian" often does not include the Aleuts, Inuit, or Yupik peoples, these groups are considered indigenous peoples of the Americas.
You're right. I guess I got confused with this East Indies West Indies bologna. If he thought he was in the East Indies I wonder how he figured out he wasn't. It's not like he walked into a convenience store and bought a map. But I was correct that Indians is an acceptable term for indigenious persons of North America. Those guys are indians. The guy on the right is Geronimo.