Native American refers to the Indigenous peoples whose homelands are in what is now the United States, and to their descendants today. These are some of the original inhabitants of these lands, with rich civilizations, languages, and cultures that existed for thousands of years before Columbus sailed in 1492.

The term covers hundreds of distinct groups, each with its own language, traditions, and way of life. The Cherokee, Navajo, Lakota, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), and Apache are just a few examples, each as different from one another as France is from Japan. Some Native Americans lived in permanent villages and farmed corn, beans, and squash. Others followed bison herds across the plains. Some built impressive cities and structures, like the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde or the earthen mounds in the Mississippi Valley.

Today, about 7 million Native Americans live in the United States, maintaining their cultural traditions while also participating fully in modern American life. Many live on reservations, which are lands set aside by treaties between tribal nations and the U.S. government. Others live in cities and towns across the country.

You might also hear the terms American Indian or Indigenous peoples, which are related but not always used in exactly the same way. When referring to a specific group, it is generally best to use their actual name, like Pueblo or Choctaw, just as you'd say Italian rather than just European.