natives

Natives is a term used to describe people or things originating in a particular place. When applied to people, it can denote someone born in a given country or region, or, more broadly, members of communities that maintain historical continuity with pre-colonial inhabitants. In scholarly and policy contexts, the word is often supplemented or replaced with “indigenous peoples” to emphasize collective rights, self-determination, and cultural distinctiveness.

The precise connotations of “native” vary by country and era. In some contexts it is a neutral descriptor; in others it may be considered archaic or insensitive if used to label contemporary populations without explicit identification or consent. Many countries and international bodies prefer terminology that centers self-identification and legal status, such as “indigenous peoples” or specific community names.

Indigenous rights frameworks focus on self-government, land and resource rights, protection of cultural heritage, and language preservation. International standards, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, recognize the rights of indigenous peoples to freely pursue development in line with their cultures, and to maintain political autonomy and land stewardship within states.

In a biological or ecological sense, “native” denotes species that originated in a region, as opposed to introduced or non-native species. This sense is distinct from the human usage and is common in ecology, conservation, and biodiversity discussions.

Examples of region-specific terms include Native American or Alaska Native in the United States; First Nations, Inuit, and Métis in Canada; and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. The term’s appropriateness depends on context, identity, and consent of the communities involved.