What not to do when you meet a Native person: a semi-comprehensive thread for non-Natives

Do not ask what percentage Native someone is. This is very rude. If they told you they are Native, they are Native. Instead say: what tribe are you from?

Do not say “you don’t look Indian to me” OR that they do look Indian. There is no such thing. We do not require your validation. You are not the phenotype police.

Do not ask them if they pay taxes. All Natives pay taxes.

Do not ask to touch them or their hair.

Do not ask if they have an “Indian name.” Some do but you should not ask someone you just met this.

Avoid saying that your great grandmother was Cherokee unless you have met her personally and KNOW THIS TO BE AN EMPIRICAL FACT, not just something your Momma told you once when you were in 3rd grade.

Do not say you have Native in your family unless you actually identify as Native and know what specific tribe. If you say “Cherokee tribe,” know that that is not a real thing. There are three bands of Cherokee.

Do not tell them it’s “so cool” that they’re Native. We are an ethnicity, not a rock band.

Do not say “red dot or feather?”

Do NOT call them Pocahontas or Sacajawea. This might make someone want to physically harm you.

Do not ask them if they live on a reservation. Only 22% of Natives do.

Do not call them or anyone else your spirit animal. You do not have a spirit animal.

Do not say that you thought Indians were extinct; this might also result in someone wanting to physically harm you.

Do not ask us how to enroll in a tribe. Please call the tribe yourself to ask these questions. Every tribe has an enrollment office. Tribes function like nations.

Do not dress as a Native for Halloween.

Do not ask them about some federal Indian policy like recognition status. I just met you, I do not want to discuss this. Build rapport and perhaps we can chat more when I know you and feel comfortable discussing such matters.

Do not ask them to speak their language for you. Many of our languages were eradicated by colonizers.

Avoid asking if we know *insert name of random Indian person* We probably don’t. We don’t know all Indians just like you don’t know all members of your race.

If you read something about a tribe and a member of that tribe tells you differently, believe them. Google and Wikipedia are your friend and your enemy. Much information online about Native people is sound, but much is also untrue.