Who You Callin' Indian, Part II

Being the Second Entry in a series by Jennifer David setting out a weekly, non-dogmatic, light-hearted lexicon for those of you who work in this arena and would like a primer on how to refer to...well, you'll see.

Last week we wrote off the word "Indian" as a descriptor - a term so out of date that even the federal government has abandoned it. This week let's talk about the OTHER N-word.

NATIVE.

"Native" is another one of those terms with a slightly archaic ring to it. It's seen nowadays mostly in the names of organizations, including several Aboriginal groups (the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers, or the Native Women’s Association of Canada). In fact, some First Nation communities continue to use this term in phrases like ‘it’s a native-run casino’ or ‘the native friendship centre’.

The word itself is fairly innocuous. Its roots are the latin word "natus", to be born; and it simply refers to a person or thing who is originally from a specific place. That's why Canada's original inhabitants have been referred to as the "native" people of North America. But it's tricky. I once attended a meeting at which a non-Aboriginal consultant rashly introduced herself to the Aboriginal Board of Directors as a "native of Montreal". The good-natured razzing she took for that faux-pas underlines the confusion inherent in the word. When a scientist describes a plant species as "native" to Canada, that's clear enough. But it’s not so clear when talking about people. So if you’re a native Edmontonian - does that mean you’re Aboriginal?

Like "Indian", the word "native" has also acquired a slightly unsavoury scent over the years. Think about the disapproval inherent in the phrase 'what’s with those natives?’. And is anyone going to be flattered when they're accused of "going native'?

So I fear it's time to bid a reluctant farewell to the word "native" as well. It's a shame, in a way: I've always liked the fact that it’s in our national anthem, and that thousands of Canadians every day sing about "our home and native land". (And even better when they sneak in the line "our home ON native land"). But somehow, I don't think that's what Robert Stanley Weir had in mind.

So I’d say let’s nix the "native", and let's try again.

Next Week:  How about "Aboriginal"?