redskinned

Redskinned is an English adjective historically used to refer to Indigenous peoples of North America. In modern usage the term is widely regarded as offensive and disparaging, and it is avoided by many Native communities, scholars, and publishers. Contemporary style guides typically recommend against its use except in historical discussion or when directly quoting a historical source.

Origin and etymology are uncertain. The term appears in English texts from the early colonial period and has been connected to descriptions of skin color or to label a group rather than a single people. It has appeared as both a noun (redskin) and an adjective (red-skinned). Because its roots are disputed and because it has carried demeaning connotations for centuries, its value as a descriptive label is rejected by many today.

Usage and controversy have evolved markedly. Historically, the term could be encountered in ethnographic writing or everyday speech, but in the present era it is recognized as a racial slur by numerous Indigenous organizations and advocacy groups. Several public institutions and sports franchises have moved away from the term; examples include professional teams that changed names to remove racialized language, reflecting broader efforts to use respectful and accurate terminology.

Guidance for writing and speaking emphasizes respectful alternatives. When referring to Indigenous peoples, it is preferred to name the specific nation or use general terms such as Indigenous peoples of North America or Native American, depending on regional context and the community’s preferences. If historical discussion requires the term, it should be clearly attributed to the period and treated as a remnant of past rhetoric rather than a current descriptor.