Amerindian

Amerindian is a term used to refer to Indigenous peoples of the American continents. Historically an umbrella label, it has encompassed a broad range of cultures, languages, and communities across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. In modern usage, the term appears mainly in older ethnographic writing and in some regional contexts, but it is less common in contemporary policy discussions.

Because the Americas span diverse regions, there is no single Amerindian culture. Hundreds of nations and ethnic groups have distinct histories and traditions, from the Navajo and Haudenosaunee of North America to the Maya, Quechua-speaking peoples, and Guarani in Central and South America. Languages, social structures, and worldviews vary widely.

Pre-Columbian civilizations such as the Maya, Aztec, and Andean cultures built sophisticated societies before European contact. The post-contact era brought colonization, disease, and displacement, but Indigenous peoples also maintained governance structures and created enduring rights movements and cultural survivals that shape contemporary politics and societies.

In current usage, preferences vary. Some communities prefer the terms associated with their specific nations or tribes, while many scholars and international bodies use “Indigenous peoples of the Americas” as a neutral umbrella term. The label “Amerindian” is often considered outdated or regionally specific and should be used with awareness of local conventions.