It's autumn. I love autumn, and I always feel more content in myself and with the world somehow. Perhaps it's become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Oh gosh, it's autumn, let me see... do I feel more content in myself and with the world somehow?... do I?... yes... yes... I believe I do!
I've blogged about autumn here before, and posted lots of photographs of lovely trees (you can click on the label at the bottom if you're interested). It's just such a beautiful season, and here, the weather is still warm enough to enjoy being out and about. It's mostly in the 70s, but still a day here and there in the 80s. Perfect. Sorry for those of you in any part of the world (mentioning no names) where it's grey and cold and drizzly.
I don't know much about how Indians chose their names, beyond watching Dances with Wolves, but if I had to choose myself a name inspired by my character or by the natural world, it would be something to do with autumn. Either that or Heap Big Laundry Heap, which would also be fitting.
What would your Indian name be?
And on the subject of Indians, I really haven't fathomed what to call them yet. I know that there will be people wincing as they read this post, because it's just not pc to use the word 'Indian' in many circles. In my early blogging days, I caused hilarity on the East Coast, by describing my 'pool cover-up' as a 'squaw dress'. (Funny to think there was a time when I didn't know what a 'pool cover-up' was...) But anyway, back to Indians. People DO talk about Indians round here, and we have an Indian Center in town, which is unashamedly called The Indian Center. When we went to Colorado last year, we watched a display of traditional Indian dancing at an Indian museum, and the word 'Indian' was used throughout.
So two questions, then. What would your personal Indian name be? And what should I call Indians?
I think my name would be she yells about homework.. or something to that effect...
ReplyDeleteThere aren't a lot of "Indian" things around where I live, but I do remember from the time I spent traveling in Arizona and New Mexico that I saw the terms "Indian" and "Native American" used kind of interchangeably. I tend to say Native American, just because I have heard the term Indian used in a derogatory way, but I think that's more of a function of the area I'm living in than anything else. I don't think there is anything inherintly wrong with the term Indian though (except when its used as sports team name or masscot... don't get me started on the Red Skins... or Braves)
My name would definitely be "Trips-With-A-Bang" as I can't seem to even walk straight these days.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting topic and the PC term has changed quite a bit. "Native American" was popular in the 70s, but for the last 10-20 years, most tribes in the US have preferred "American Indian" as they see it as a link to the heritage as they've been called "Indians" for so many years. It is sort of a reclaiming of the word. It might differ regionally, but in Ohio, Arizona, and California -- that's the most common term when on a reservation.
My good friend is American Indian and she says there really isn't so much that can offend if the term is used wiht the right intention. I do find it pretty odd here in the UK when I hear English or India-Indian people refer to American Indians as "Red Indians." I'm pretty sure that's getting a little too close to pushing the boundaries of offense for me.
I'm pretty sure one of the boys was asked to draw a picture of 'the Pilgrims and the Indians' last Thanksgiving. But I have also heard Native American used quite a lot.
ReplyDeleteMy name would currently be Despairs of Messy House....
I would so want it to be "happy go lucky" but it is more like "exhausted mama"
ReplyDeletei think mine would be either 'constantly cleaning up poo' or 'speaks with fingers' a pathetic attempt at saying i spend far too much time on the computer...
ReplyDeleteI have no idea about the correct term for referring to Indians/native Americans but I do often get confused between American Indians and people from India when people use the word Indians, not sure which they are referring to.
'Vast immovable belly that wants to be stuck to sofa but must move after quick small children'
ReplyDeleteor
'Great procrastinator of all things useful'
Why do small children not play cowboys and indians so much any more? We did all the time, and now they don't even with Woody leading the Toy Story charge.
Maybe "Tries to keep thoughts together" or "Loves her dirty children." Not sure. Would need more thought.
ReplyDeleteToday my name would mostly be Big Wine Sore Head but it could equally be Big Tummy Ate Too Much
ReplyDeleteRuns On Not So Fleet Feet (as I shall henceforth be known) due to the feeling that I wake (reluctantly)/I run all day/I sleep/I wake (reluctantly)/I run all day/I sleep.
ReplyDeleteWhenever my children have watched an old-fashioned Western, they've asked who the goodies and who the baddies are. Perhaps the complexity of the answer is the reason why so few children play Cowboys & Indians, compared to when we were children.
i dont' what your autumn correlates to in my outpost where it is heaving hot and heavy-sweaty, where to find a cool patch on the bed where i collapse for a siesta because i can't find the energy to drag myself thru a soupy afternoon is impossible. i lie spread-eagled, a fan stirring the warmth and scal lies spread - eagled under the bed and even the cats' composure is compromised as they lie flat on thier bags, legs akimbo. x
ReplyDeleteAs I am part Native American/Indian I have an Indian name already! It's 'Pa-hee', which means 'pretty hair'.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I am not immersed in my native culture so I do not have the adult name that many seem to be given. If I were to be given one now it would probably be something like Lightening Woman because I have flashes of things--inspiration, housework, passion, fatigue, anger, whatever, then it's all calm again until the next build up of energy.
A friend of mine who is very into his Minnesota native american heritage and is a successful novelist with this subject uses the term Native (without the American) as a super-dooper PC form of the terms: Native culture, native peoples, etc. His reasoning is that 'Native Peoples' didn't know themselves as 'Americans' (native or not) before the whites named the continent.
However, like you I know many Natives use the term Indian with great regularity and comfort. There is one phrase I have heard by the more militant Indians:'I'm FBI' they'll say. 'Full Blood Indian.' It's a bit like saying everyone else is a Muggle, I suppose.
If I were you, I'd play it safe and say Native Americans, or if you don't mind a few PC obsessives freaking out from time to time just say Indians.
Funnily enough my names would be not dissimilar to Home Office Mum's.
ReplyDelete1. Right now, mine would probably be "Perpetual Wisher of American-sized Fridge". And of course my South (Asian) Indian name has always been "Bhinder Dhandat". :)
ReplyDelete2. I love how the Canadians refer to their aboriginal peoples as "First Nations". It definitely shows pride and respect. In the US, I say "Native Americans", or "American Indians", admittedly pretty vague. My alma mater used to have a Chief Illiniwek (Sioux) dance halftime of football and basketball and women's volleyball games. That has since stopped though.
I think it's still OK to use Native American, and I have heard Indiginous People once in a while. The people themselves often use Indian or refer to themselves by their tribal names. (incidenatlly, my kids are apparently one 16th Comanche).
ReplyDeleteWhat would my name be - definitely "She Who Can Never Just Pick One".
The Smithsonian museum is called "National Museum of the American Indian" so I think we have to go with that.
ReplyDeleteI would be "She who cannot make up her mind about living abroad forever" I think. Or maybe that's just my panicked reaction to what the UK government is about to do to science and University funding...